9 Tips for Holiday Stress

The holiday's are supposed to be some of the happiest and best times of the year - but they are also sometimes the most stressful. Family stressors, financial stressors, perhaps facing your fears and going to crowded malls when you don't like crowds. Whatever it is - the hustle and bustle of the holiday season definitely brings along some stress as well.

So how do we manage it? What are some easy ways we can minimize our stress in order to actually enjoy the holidays? 

Here are 10 simple things you can implement this holiday season to keep your stress levels low:

1.  Acknowledge your feelings - the holiday's can bring up a lot of emotions. Remember that if you have lost someone, it is okay to feel grief and sadness. It's okay to cry. It's okay to be down some days. Just because it is the holiday's doesn't mean you have to be happy all the time
2. Reach Out - don't be afraid to reach out to your loved ones and support system
3. Be Realistic - Sometimes we cause our own stress by feeling like everything for the holiday's needs to be perfect but in reality, it doesn't. You are only able to do what you can do.
4. Stick to a Budget - before you start gift or food shopping, decide on a budget of what you can afford and stick to it. There is not use to a) being stressed about money for the holidays and then b) putting yourself in debt because of the holidays 
5. Learn to Say NO - saying yes when you should say no leads to resentment and feeling overwhelmed. Avoid trying to spread yourself too thin and listen to your physical and mental health when you need to practice self-care. IT IS OKAY TO SAY NO!
6. Maintain your healthy habits - don't throw all your healthy progress aside just because it's the holidays!
7. Share your tasks - you do not need to do everything on your own! Share your "to-do" list with family members and simultaneously spend time together with tasks such as baking the holiday meal, decorating or wrapping Christmas gifts
8. Take breaks & breathers - deep breaths when you begin to feel overwhelmed and make some time for yourself. Simple things such as taking a walk, reading a couple chapters of a book or a bubble bath.
9. Remember the reason for the season - keep in mind the holiday season is about creating memories with your loved ones and spending time with those close and special to you. It's not about presents. It's not about the turkey dinner. It's about the small things 

Resources

www.mayoclinic.org

www.healthlinkbc.ca

www.psychologytoday.com

www.webmd.com