How to Manage Stress During the Holidays
The holiday season is known for being one of the most fun and exciting times, while simultaneously being one of the most stressful. Whether it be financial stress, relationship stress, mood changes, or all of the above, it is easy to start feeling overwhelmed. Here are some ways to keep holiday stresses at a minimum and feel the enjoyment of the season.
Keep your regular routine
From all the different activities, events, and get-togethers that come up this time of year, our routine is bound to get thrown off a little. However, try to keep your regular routine as best you can so that your body and mind are staying regulated as much as possible. This might look like keeping your morning routine consistent so that you start your day as grounded and allowing for your bedtime routine to be a consistent time for you to be able to wind down. It might also mean squeezing in a little alone time throughout the day if you need to take a moment and a breather. Having that stable foundation can be so helpful during times that might be busier than usual.
Manage expectations
We are all guilty of having ideas in our minds about what we will be able to, want to do, or afford to do during the holiday season. Our tendency is to get everything done and do all the things you are “supposed” to do. While this usually stems from the best intentions, the holidays are not the time to chase “being perfect” and attempt to do it all. This is unrealistic and takes away from what truly makes you happy during the season. Take some time to reflect on what is most important to you this time of year and prioritizing that over all the extra things that might cause you stress.
Set limits and boundaries with yourself and others
Going along with the idea of managing expectations would be to begin to set limits. This might look like setting limits with yourself and how much you want to do/spend this year, or setting boundaries with other people in what you are willing or not willing to engage in. Boundary setting can feel like such a challenge during the holidays because it might mean doing things differently than you might have in the past. I am here to remind you that that is ok. You are not wrong for needing to make a change in what holidays look like.
Manage seasonal depression
If you have noticed a shift in your mood and energy levels since the seasons began to change, you are not alone! It is common for people to experience low mood, less motivation, and a decrease in energy during the winter months. There are several helpful ways to manage this, the first being getting light every day within the first hour of waking up. This helps improve our mood and helps us get better sleep at night. If the sun is not out when you are waking up, there are a variety of light boxes you can buy online and turn on for the same benefits. A second way to help manage the winter blues is to reach out and connect with those you care about. Finding small ways to stay connected, whether it be by phone or a short hangout, can give a mood boost during the winter months if socializing is what you are craving. As always, therapy can help with seasonal depression as well so please feel free to reach out for support.
Hopefully these tips can help provide gentle support for you during the holiday season so that you can enjoy them the way you truly want to.
Happy holidays!
With love,
Hannah
Note: Everything posted here is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for individualized mental health treatment. If you would like to start therapy with me, click HERE.
