Coping with holiday stress
The most wonderful time of the year? Not always. The holidays come with added pressure and stress, a break in routine, bad eating habits, and often a large financial burden. When you add all that up, you could be taking a significant toll on your mental health. Below are some tips to help you stay on your feet and not become too boggled down by the added stress of the holidays.
Be realistic. You can’t always attend every party or keep up with every holiday tradition. People understand that the holidays are a busy time of year and you have other obligations. Manage your time in order to get to the must-attend events, but don’t over commit by saying yes to everything—that is when you add unnecessary stress to your life. Planning ahead will also help you feel more prepared and in control of the holiday season.
Maintain your routines. It is easy to change your sleeping, eating, drinking, and exercise habits over the holidays, but try to stick to your healthy lifestyle routines as much as you can. Changing your regular patterns will affect your mood and could make you feel guilty for getting off track. Try having healthy snacks before attending a party so you don’t overindulge on sweets, and be sure to take breaks and schedule some “me” time to help avoid exhaustion and becoming overwhelmed.
Stick to a budget. It is easy to get carried away with your spending over the holidays. Remember it is the thought that counts. You don’t always have to buy the biggest, best, most expensive gift in order to show someone you care. And if you manage your dollars wisely before you start spending, your credit card bill will be less painful after the holidays are over.
Lower your expectations for what the holidays will bring. It is better to have low expectations and be blown away, than to have high expectations and then be disappointed. Aim to have fun and be happy, but don’t expect to get wonderful gifts, or plan on having an amazing time. You may be setting yourself up for disappointment.
Holidays are about spending time with the people you care about. Although they can be overwhelming, don’t avoid the holiday season all together by isolating yourself from others. Maybe you can’t make it to every function, or you might not stay until the very end, but making an effort to get out and see people will help you feel less alone over the holidays.
Recognize triggers. Learn to identify your personal and holiday triggers that could lead to a meltdown. It is better to avoid bad situations before they happen, and learning to identify what triggers your negative feelings will help you prevent them. Even during the holidays you have to keep your own mental health in check, and others will understand that.
Source—The Signal
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