The holiday season can be exciting and fun, but it can also bring some feelings of angst. Thinking about all you have to do during the holidays can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. This holiday stress can come from tension at family gatherings, the pressure of finding gifts, financial stressors, social expectations, and many other sources. Here are some strategies to help you manage holiday stress this season:
1. Be Realistic
During the holidays, you may be expected to attend parties, cook food for gatherings, travel, etc. Because this list of commitments can get long and overwhelming, it’s important to be realistic with yourself and others if you want to manage holiday stress. Make a list of things you expect from yourself and what others expect from you. You can organize these on a calendar to get an idea of what the holiday season will look like. Only agree to things you can realistically do to avoid overextending yourself and getting stressed out. Keep in mind that you don’t have to do everything yourself and everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
2. Maintain Healthy Habits
If you want to know how to manage holiday stress, a great place to start is keeping up with your healthy habits during the holiday season. This is one of your best defenses against stress. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet (even at holiday gatherings), and stay physically active. It’s important to remember that what’s good for your body is also good for your brain, so prioritize taking care of your body and mind by maintaining healthy habits this holiday season.
3. Make a Budget
Finances are one of the biggest stressors during the holiday season. For most people, the holidays mean spending more money. However, spending can easily get out of hand if you don’t have a plan. If you want to manage holiday stress, make a budget and stick to it. Your regular bills and monthly expenses don’t go away during the holidays, so make sure you set aside plenty of money to cover all your expenses before you start shopping to avoid unnecessary financial stress.
4. Take a Break
It’s easy to focus on others during the holidays and forget your own needs. However, you need to prioritize your mental health if you want to successfully manage holiday stress. Don’t be afraid to take a break when you need one. You can go for a walk, take a nap, read a book, or watch a movie to get your mind off your stressors and encourage relaxation. Watching a funny movie or show can be especially helpful, as laughter relieves physical tension and stress.
5. Reach Out to Others
Even though the holiday season may seem filled with social interactions, it’s common for people to feel lonely and isolated this time of year. These feelings can increase feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. To help you manage holiday stress, find ways to get social. Call or meet up with a friend or family member who cares about you and who you care about. You can also find social activities to do in your community, such as volunteering. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone to assist you with tasks or to simply listen to you.
6. Get Some Fresh Air
Going outside to get some fresh air and sunlight can make a big difference in helping you manage holiday stress. Studies have shown that there are a number of health benefits from spending time in nature, including stress relief, improved mental energy, better concentration, and reduced inflammation. Taking a walk or simply standing outside and breathing in the fresh air can effectively calm and center you, relieving the effects of holiday stress.
7. Take Dietary Supplements
Certain dietary supplements can help you manage holiday stress. AshwaBalance Plus contains a high concentration of ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb that has proven mental health benefits. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and boost brain function, all of which can be beneficial in managing holiday stress. Magnesium is also vital for brain and nervous system health. MAGnify Neuro is one of the most effective magnesium supplements, having demonstrated the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to improve cognitive health, sleep quality, mood, and stress management.
More Ways to Improve Mental Health
These are some of the best ways to manage holiday stress. Are you looking for more steps you can take to reduce stress and care for your mental health? Check out these 7 ways to improve mental health so you can get back to feeling your best.
