How to Manage Stress this Holiday Season
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With the days getting colder and darker, it’s normal to feel like you need to slow down a bit this time of year. But for many of us, the holiday season has a whole lot of speeding up: budgeting for holiday gifts, balancing challenging family gatherings, and figuring out how traditions evolve every year can be stressful. For others, the holidays can bring the blues. If you’re experiencing grief, anxiety, or loneliness this time of year, you’re not alone.
No matter what your challenges this time of year, remember that the season of giving also includes giving yourself what you need to be healthy. Stress and depression can seriously impact your health, so make sure you are taking care of yourself this holiday season.
Not sure where to start? I asked our readers how they manage their stress, and here are some of my favorite responses:
Set boundaries! When “self-care” is at the very bottom of a long to-do list, it keeps getting put off. Be sure to set boundaries this time of year to make sure you get some quality ME time. Here are some suggestions from readers:
- “I told my family that I want to keep things simple this time of year. No extravagance. No rushing. Just spend quality time with family.”
- “I turn off my phone in the evening and I don’t go on Facebook as much.”
- “I set boundaries with my family so I can take time to myself. Some stuff they need to do themselves.”
Get active! Exercise is proven to reduce stress levels and help you sleep better. When it’s cold this time of year in many parts of the country, it’s harder to get outside or to the gym. But even a walk around the block or dancing to music in the kitchen can help boost your mood. Here are some suggestions from readers on what helps them with stress:
- “Yard work and gardening is great. It’s a good workout, a way to get outside, and it feels so satisfying.”
- “Take walks in the woods. There’s no such thing as too cold outside if you have the right clothing!”
- “I like to play with my grandkids. We jump around a lot. It keeps me in shape and brings me joy.”
Make something! Re-discover your hobbies–especially the ones that have you making something with your hands. These are a few of the hobbies that readers say have helped with their stress:
- “Crocheting, sewing, quilting, baking, any arts and crafts really. Just things I enjoy doing. That’s my best self-care to manage my stress.”
- “Getting involved in issues I support. I’m making baby blankets for children in need.”
- “My hobbies help me. I like reading a lot, working crossword puzzles or other puzzles, cooking or baking, and giving a good bit away to neighbors.”
Get support! Talk to others about how you are feeling—whether that is your friends and family, your therapist, or your doctor.
- “My therapist really helps me.”
- “A combination of exercise, journaling, talking with friends, and taking my antidepressant meds from my psych help me stay calm, balanced, and at peace.”
- “It’s so important to make time to vent to your friends. Get it all off your chest!”
- “Spending time with like-minded friends and laughing just melts my stress away.”
If you’re struggling this time of year, know that you’re not alone. Check out these stress management tips for more tools. Even though all of us experience stress from time to time, keep an eye out for when it’s becoming overwhelming. If you feel like you can’t go about your daily life without anxiety getting in the way, that’s a good sign it’s time to check in with a doctor or mental health professional. Give yourself the support you need!
Drop a <3 in the comments below if you feel like we could all use a little extra love this time of year!
I just remove myself from the situation and if I have to go home I can be at peace by myself and happy.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS🎊♥️♥️
The gift I gave myself last year was to get a therapist. She is wonderful and has made a big difference in my life
Remember: this too shall pass. If at all possible leave work at work. Don’t punish yourself. if things don’t work out as others or yourself had planned. it’s okay. Enjoy the time you have with others or by yourself. It’s a new day which God has given us. Make it a good day😄
I manage stress this time of year by only doing what’s necessary to bring happiness to the few true friends and family around me . I also make a point to take time out for myself each day even if it’s only a few minutes . You can’t bring happiness to others unless you give it to yourself first
<3<3<3
Great article! Thank you! Merry Christmas
A good book or movie with a hot cup of coffee and cozy blanket does it for me
Yes, My Stress Level Is Coming Down. Try to go to a therapist
Excellent article and suggestions regarding how to deal positively with stress.
💙 Absolutely, we all could use some love this time of year. It’s easier for me to feel the love or spirit of Christmas by incorporating Christ into it. 💙
Well this time a year every body trying to get gifts for the family and friends and making sure everything is perfectly done and that’s is if everyone stays healthy. God bless
< 3 My Name is Jazzie And I love to color I do enjoy keeping my room can't do much because I'm disabled what I do try I enjoyed reading the stories I enjoyed that maybe I should do more reading Thank you
😃agreed we all need a bit extra self love, friendship love and consideration shown to our fellow man in general. The holidays aren’t rosy, glitter and “a walk in winter wonderland” for everyone. It can be a dark, lonely time for many. Problems that exist daily seem intensified during the holidays. While many needs may be met thru the generosity of others at this time of the year, many are not. Social Media and media in general put so much emphasis on the holidays that you notice and it hurts just a touch more if it’s the HOLIDAYS and your alone, but any other Tues it doesn’t bother you and you rarely think about it! Just remember to be kind . You don’t know what burden someone carries behind a warm retail smile your receiving, be patient, say thank you and I appreciate your help. It’s so easy and we should do it always, but especially during the holidays! Respect how much or how little people celebrate as well. Meet them on whatever level they offer and please don’t shame someone for not being “in the holiday spirit” maybe they are struggling just to make it thru the day and your kind words could turn their day around or keep them hanging on just another day. We can all use extra understanding during such a high stress time of year, if you give a little you may be surprised how much is returned to you on a bad day!
<3 <3 <3
♡
>3