Staying Merry: Simple Stress Management Tips for the Holidays

If you’re reading this article, we’ve already entered the month of November and are rushing headlong into the Holiday season. The Holiday season means a lot of different things for people; there are visits home to see the family and extra shifts that need to be covered. Families are hoping for a wonderful and warm time.  Still others may not have a relationship with their families and feel alone and isolated. Everyone has high expectations and even higher emotions associated with the ho-ho-ho-liday season. One of the most notable feelings associated with this time of year is STRESS!!  There is just so much to do with shopping, sending cards, making special dishes, parties and maintaining traditions that it can all become too much and we become stressed.   

Google’s Artificial Intelligence defines stress as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from challenging or demanding circumstances. It isa natural response to perceived threats or challenges, which can be physical, emotional, or psychological.”  Some of the physical symptoms associated with stress include an increased heartrate and blood pressure as well as stomach problems and chest pains. Emotionally stress may affect your ability to be patient with others, increase your irritability, and feelings of anxiety and depression.  Finally, when we are stressed, we may experience behavioral changes such increase/decrease in appetite and difficulty sleeping. If allowed to simmer without addressing it, stress can lead to long-term chronic emotional and physical problems beyond the holiday season.  So here are some practical things that you can try to release your stress:

For more stress management tips and tricks check out these resources:‍‍

1. Exercise/physical activity: Physical activity or exercise allows you the opportunity to reduce the intensity of your big feelings and gives you some time to clear your head.
2. Me Time: Taking time to treat yourself to peace and quiet, a cup of coffee, a quick manicure-pedicure or anything that you truly enjoy allows you to recharge your battery.
3. Connect with others: Connect with your friends, coworkers, family, etc. to discuss the things that are stressing you out. This may be a great time to problem solve and get other perspectives and ideas.
4. Help other people: Volunteer at a soup kitchen or nursing home. Giving back to your community, no matter how small, has been proven to increase our sense of well being and resiliency.    
5. Be positive: Don’t worry about what didn’t get done; instead, think of what did get done and how much everyone enjoyed it.  
6. Laugh: Find joy in something and laugh. Laughter helps reduce our physiological response to stressors and lightens our mental load. It is truly the best medicine.

1. NHS: Stress Busters:  https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/tips-to-reduce-stress/
2. The Cleveland Clinic: Stress Management and Emotional Health:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/6409-stress-management-and-emotional-health
3. The American Heart Association: Stress and Strain, Body and Brain Infographic: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-strain-body-brain
4. CDC: Stress Management:  https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/living-with/index.html
5. The Mayo Clinic:  Stress relievers: Tips to tame stress: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257
6. UC Davis Health: 10 tips to reduce stress and take care of yourself during the holidays: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/10-tips-to-reduce-stress-and-take-care-of-yourself-during-the-holidays/2023/12