7 Ways To De-Stress Your Holiday Season

By Jeff Kucine, DO

Back To Balance

. https://www.drkucine.com/

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7 Ways To De-Stress Your Holiday Season

While many of us look forward to the fun and festivities of the holidays, there’s no denying the season also brings its fair share of stress. But this season doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly stressful. There are plenty of ways to combat holiday triggers:

1. Plan ahead. Take steps to prepare yourself as early as possible. Determine which holiday activities are most important to you, prioritizing those that bring you the most joy. Whether you love shopping, cooking, visiting friends or partaking in holiday-specific events, go ahead and assemble your shopping lists, put together menus, and write to-do lists.

2. Manage your expectations. What are you expecting of yourself and others this season? Are those expectations realistic, or will you likely be disappointed? If you find your bar may be set too high, commit to keeping an open mind and going with the flow this year.

3. Practice saying “no.” Many people cite “lack of time” as a major holiday stressor. This year, instead of caving to holiday peer pressure, remember: You don’t have to show your face at every single event. If a party or holiday activity doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, thank the person who invited you, and let them know you’re unavailable.

4. Acknowledge your feelings. Seasonal festivities can stir up emotions, especially if it’s been a rough year. If you recently experienced a major life upheaval, it’s okay to feel sadness and grief. Don’t force yourself to be happy for the benefit of others. Instead, acknowledge how you’re feeling, and give yourself time to work through your emotions.

5. Be flexible to change. It’s okay if this year doesn’t look like last year. As families grow and change, holiday traditions often morph as well. Rather than holding yourself to an old way of doing things or feeling resentful when traditions shift, choose to be present in the moment. If you can’t uphold the same traditions as you used to, find new ways to celebrate the season and convey the same feeling of togetherness.

6. Swap gratitude for wishes. Feeling like there’s not quite enough to go around this year? Instead of wishing for what everyone else is doing, focus on raising your awareness of all the good things already in your life. Be grateful for what you have, and you’ll find abundance and richness this season.

7. Prioritize self-care. It’s easy to put everyone else’s needs before your own. It’s important to prioritize your individual needs. Spending just 15 minutes a day practicing mindfulness meditation can reduce stress significantly by slowing your breathing and calming your mind.

This year, don’t let the holidays overrun you. If you take steps to proactively address your triggers and shift your mindset, you’ll soon discover you can find peace and joy this holiday season.