Tips for Managing Holiday Stress

The holiday season can trigger a wide range of emotions. For some people, they are 100% in the festive spirit, beaming joy and gratitude. Others are not quite as festive. Perhaps they are exhausted after a long year and are simply counting down the days until they can unplug. There are also many who find the holiday season to be lonely, as they navigate challenging family dynamics and feelings of disappointment. Regardless of where you find yourself, below are some tips for navigating the Christmas season and making the most out of it:

1) Fuel Yourself First. Before social gatherings, do your best to make sure you’re going in with good energy. Consider doing a workout, filling up on healthy foods, listening to beautiful music to calm the nervous system, or being mindful of alcohol consumption. Remember - how you treat your body will have a major impact on your mental health - so treat your body well!

2) Get Quality Sleep. It’s hard to be in the holiday spirit when we’re sleep deprived. Even though there is pressure to make every night a late night, don’t compromise your well-being. Remember - it’s OK to have limits and to excuse yourself when it works best for you.

3) Boundaries Are OK. Yes, we want to spend time with family & friends while contributing positively to those around us. However, in order to do so - we may need some boundaries. Perhaps we steer clear of certain conversation topics, or we politely decline to answer invasive or personal questions. Remember, in order to bring good energy, you have to protect your energy, politely.

4) Be Intentional. What’s your goal this holiday season? To catch up on your rest and reading? To connect with friends and family? Being mindful and intentional of what would make this holiday season a good one can make a huge difference. Do your best to prioritize the people, events and activities that matter most.

We hope you find this helpful and genuinely wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Wonderful New Year!