Holiday Stress
We all feel stressed from time to time, but the holidays offer their own special stressors that can make them feel particularly challenging. Stress can be unhealthy; what can you do to avoid or minimize some of these holiday stress inducers?
Self-care suggestions for managing holiday stress
- Manage your expectations
- Acknowledge when you鈥檙e feeling sad, frustrated, or grieving鈥nd know that it鈥檚 valid
- Give yourself permission to say 鈥渘o鈥�
- Write a list of things you鈥檙e grateful for in your life
- Reach out to a supportive other to talk, or just to spend time together
- Compliment someone 鈥� and yourself, too!
- Take the time to stop, stretch, and just breathe for 2 minutes
- Watch a funny movie or TV show
- Cook a favorite meal
- Pause and take a 5-minute break in your day
- Take a walk outside and notice your surroundings
- Limit your commitments
- Be realistic, not 鈥減erfect鈥�
- Stick to a good sleep routine 鈥� don鈥檛 stay up too late or sleep until the afternoon
- Cuddle with your pets or a friend鈥檚 pet, visit an animal shelter
- Take a new fitness or yoga class
- Start reading a book you鈥檝e been meaning to get to
- Plan a get-together with someone you haven鈥檛 seen in a while
- Change your usual holiday tradition and try something different (and maybe simpler)
- Watch your use of alcohol
- Volunteer
holiday stress resources
Podcasts
Helpful brief videos
Apps
- Includes a collections of meditations, Sleep Stories, mindfulness tools, nature scenes and music for focus, relaxation, etc. Initial 7-day trial is free. Premium subscription unlocks all content at $59.99/year.
- What's included:
- Available on iOS or Android
- 鈥淔abulous is an app with a surprisingly easy-going approach to self-improvement. It helps you forge new habits by providing science-based advice and daily activities that are really easy to do.鈥�
- Free features, plus premium features for $9.99/month
- Available on iOD or Android