Holiday Stress Prevention Tips

Posted: December 9, 2023

The holidays are right around the corner! And that means many of us will begin losing our minds, patience, and good cheer. Well, can you blame us? The holidays are one of the most stressful times of the year. Between shopping, decorating, and keeping your drunk aunt away from your recently widowed neighbor, it’s enough to pull your hair out!

If you tend to get a little stressed over the holidays, here are some tips to help you stay cool, calm, and collected.

Embrace Flaws

Nothing and no one is perfect. No matter how hard you try to have “the perfect holidays,” it’s simply not going to happen. Accept imperfections, embrace reality, and just focus on connecting with loved ones.

Prioritize and Share Responsibilities

Identify the key tasks that need attention and prioritize them. To lighten the load, consider involving others and delegating responsibilities. This approach not only distributes the stress but also fosters a collaborative effort where everyone contributes to the holiday preparations.

Establish Clear Boundaries

Create defined boundaries to safeguard your time and energy. Learn to decline commitments when necessary and communicate your limits to those around you. The establishment of clear boundaries is essential for maintaining a healthy balance during the festive season.

Be Kind

Most of the people you will come in contact with will be stressed out of their minds as well. And some people feel very sad and depressed around the holidays because of loss and other trauma. Since you can’t know what’s in other people’s hearts and minds, and you can’t control other people’s actions, focus on controlling your own and show kindness. You’ll be surprised how you can completely touch another’s heart and change their attitude with just a smile or thoughtful act.

Practice Self-Care

Often, when we feel stressed, our good habits go right out the window! Why eat healthy when you can shove holiday cake, cookies and pie into your mouth? But unhealthy foods, too much alcohol and not enough sleep will only exacerbate the situation. So be sure to include self-care practices into your routine, such as meditation or prayer. Taking time for spiritual reflection can provide a sense of peace and mindfulness.

Speak with Someone

If you are having a hard time dealing with stress, it’s a good idea to talk with someone. This could be a friend, family member, pastor, coach, or therapist. Often, just having someone else hear us and validate our feelings can help relieve stress.

If you’d like to speak to someone, please get in touch with us. We’d love to help you de-stress so you and your loved ones can enjoy the holiday season.

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