The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can cause unnecessary stress – holiday stress. The associations of the holidays with social gatherings, family rituals, and happy memories bring joy and excitement to many but can also lead to high amounts of stress. Holiday stress looks the same as regular day-to-day stress and can affect the body in many ways – anxiety, sadness, headaches, body aches, inability to sleep, and irritability. The essential aspect of dealing with holiday stress is understanding and recognizing your triggers. When you feel stressed, stop and try to consider what may be causing your anxiety. Then before the pressure becomes worse, use these tips to have a stress-free holiday season!
– Plan ahead – Finding time for all your holiday activities, commitments, or travel can be tricky. Create an action plan to help relieve stress and write down everything you need to do. This will make it easier to prioritize the most important things.
– Put yourself first – Taking care of yourself can help make it easier to take care of others. Set aside some time to do things you enjoy – exercise, get a few minutes of fresh air, and get a good night’s sleep.
– Keep your finances in check – The money spent during the holidays is a significant stressor. Be realistic about what you can afford, set a budget, and stick to it. If you can’t spend anything, bake a treat, or offer your talent, the sentiment behind a gift is more important than the cost.
– Don’t be afraid to say no – Say “yes” to events and things that will bring you joy and say “no” to obligations that will cause you headaches or regret.
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