Managing Holiday Stress

Watch: Mayo Clinic’s 3 Quick Tips on Holiday Stress

Managing holiday stress can be a challenging task, but there are a few things you can do to make the holidays a little easier. Here are a few tips:

Avoid overindulgence

During the holiday season, we can be tempted to indulge in overindulgence. This can lead to unnecessary stress and guilt. But there are ways to avoid overindulgence during this time of year.

One of the first things to do is listen to your body. If you feel a sudden desire for food, ask yourself whether you're really hungry. It could be something other than food.

When stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, which can increase our appetite. If you want to avoid overindulgence, get plenty of exercise. You can also take some time to meditate or do yoga. Another way to reduce stress is to spend time with friends and family.

Holidays can be stressful, but they can also be an opportunity to savor special moments. Savoring these moments is key nourishment for our body and mind.

Prioritize your mental health

During the holidays, it is important to prioritize your mental health. However, you may feel a little overwhelmed with the demands that come with this time of year. In addition, you may also be dealing with family stress or financial pressures.

If you feel overwhelmed or depressed during the holidays, you should contact someone you trust for support. You may also consider joining a support group or participating in group therapy. This is an excellent way to get support and to help you feel better about yourself.

During the holidays, many people attend parties or other large get-togethers. This can add stress to your schedule and lead to exhaustion and depression.

If you feel overwhelmed, you may want to set healthy boundaries. A healthy boundary communicates your needs to others and says no. You may want to limit your commitments or delegate not-so-important tasks. You may want to tell others why you cannot attend certain events.

Set realistic expectations

Trying to create a perfect holiday can be exhausting, and setting realistic expectations can help you avoid the stresses of the holidays. The holidays are not perfect, and trying to create an ideal experience can lead to disappointment and anger.

When you set realistic expectations, you can focus on what's important to you and the people around you. You can also practice self-compassion and refocus your mind on the bigger picture. This will help you navigate everyday situations and develop effective strategies to cope with stress.

Setting realistic expectations is essential, but it's also important to be flexible. You might have to change your plans or adjust them to accommodate your family's needs. This is the time of year when your family might not get along as well as you'd like.

Make lists

It can be overwhelming to try to juggle everything during the holiday season. If you're feeling overwhelmed, try making lists to manage holiday stress. This can help you clear your mind and focus on the important events in your life.

Lists can help you keep track of important events, such as holiday parties, gift-giving, and unique grocery shopping. You can write down as much or as little information as you want. You can include information about each item, such as how much it costs and whether it's a must-have gift.

To manage holiday stress, you should first consider what triggers anxiety and make a list. Write down on one side of a piece of paper (or note app on your device) “things I can control” and, on the other side, “things I can’t control.” Focus energy and attention on the left-hand side of the list. You may feel stress due to family demands, financial pressure, or social expectations. You can also develop healthy coping mechanisms that can replace unhealthy ones.