Disclaimer: I am obviously not a mental health professional, so these tips are simply meant to be friendly helpful hints with my own bias! If you think it would be helpful for you to speak with a licensed mental health professional, I would be happy to give you some recommendations of appropriate people.
Take care of yourself physically:
Exercise! This is one of the best ways to reduce tension, get time to yourself, and boost your energy and mood. When you need a break from the relatives, going for a quick walk outside is a great excuse to get a moment to yourself.
Sleep! You may be busier than ever, but getting enough sleep is essential for keeping your stress hormones in check and your weight from creeping up. Create a bedtime ritual that helps you unwind and relax, such as a light stretching routine, a hot bath, some light reading or herbal tea. And don't be afraid to take a power nap during the day if you're not getting enough sleep at night.
Drink water! This time of year many of us end up drinking more alcohol than usual. Add that to cold, dry weather and you've got a recipe for dehydration which saps your energy and makes it difficult to concentrate. So keep a water bottle handy throughout the day.
Get a massage! Well obviously this should be on everyone’s to-do list year-round!
Take care of yourself mentally:
Learn how to say no! This is an art form during the holidays, but there's no better gift you can give yourself. Make priorities and decide which functions you must attend and which tasks you can delegate to a loved one. Don't be afraid to decline activities that only add more stress. Remind yourself that the holidays are about enjoying yourself and your family, not being Superman or Superwoman.
Simplify your shopping list! Shop online for holiday gifts and get it done now instead of waiting until the last minute! Why not just buy massage gift certificates for everyone on your list at www.sagewellness.com and be done with it? ? Also the cost of holiday shopping mounts quickly and can make people feel out of control and anxious. So draw up a budget long before you actually start your shopping and stick to it.
Volunteer! Sometimes volunteering at a local organization can give you important perspective on just how fortunate your life is. Plus you will benefit from the feeling of helping your local community and teach an important lesson to the children in your life that the holidays are about giving, not just receiving.
Forget the unimportant stuff! Don't run yourself ragged just to live up to holiday tradition. So what if you don't get the lights on the roof this year? So what if you don't get the special holiday mugs from the attic? Give yourself a break. Worrying about such trivial stuff will not add to your holiday spirit.
Find positive ways to remember loved ones! Holidays may remind you of the loved ones who aren't here anymore. But instead of just feeling glum, do something active to celebrate their memory. For example, go out with your siblings to your mom's favorite restaurant and give her a toast.
Give yourself a break! This is not an easy time of year for a lot of people. Be gentle with yourself. It is the season of kindness and forgiveness, after all. Save some of it for yourself.
Helpful Hints to Reduce Your Holiday Stress
Take care of yourself physically:
Exercise! This is one of the best ways to reduce tension, get time to yourself, and boost your energy and mood. When you need a break from the relatives, going for a quick walk outside is a great excuse to get a moment to yourself.
Sleep! You may be busier than ever, but getting enough sleep is essential for keeping your stress hormones in check and your weight from creeping up. Create a bedtime ritual that helps you unwind and relax, such as a light stretching routine, a hot bath, some light reading or herbal tea. And don't be afraid to take a power nap during the day if you're not getting enough sleep at night.
Drink water! This time of year many of us end up drinking more alcohol than usual. Add that to cold, dry weather and you've got a recipe for dehydration which saps your energy and makes it difficult to concentrate. So keep a water bottle handy throughout the day.
Get a massage! Well obviously this should be on everyone’s to-do list year-round!
Take care of yourself mentally:
Learn how to say no! This is an art form during the holidays, but there's no better gift you can give yourself. Make priorities and decide which functions you must attend and which tasks you can delegate to a loved one. Don't be afraid to decline activities that only add more stress. Remind yourself that the holidays are about enjoying yourself and your family, not being Superman or Superwoman.
Simplify your shopping list! Shop online for holiday gifts and get it done now instead of waiting until the last minute! Why not just buy massage gift certificates for everyone on your list at Sagewellness.com and be done with it? Also the cost of holiday shopping mounts quickly and can make people feel out of control and anxious. So draw up a budget long before you actually start your shopping and stick to it.
Volunteer! Sometimes volunteering at a local organization can give you important perspective on just how fortunate your life is. Plus you will benefit from the feeling of helping your local community and teach an important lesson to the children in your life that the holidays are about giving, not just receiving.
Forget the unimportant stuff! Don't run yourself ragged just to live up to holiday tradition. So what if you don't get the lights on the roof this year? So what if you don't get the special holiday mugs from the attic? Give yourself a break. Worrying about such trivial stuff will not add to your holiday spirit.
Find positive ways to remember loved ones! Holidays may remind you of the loved ones who aren't here anymore. But instead of just feeling glum, do something active to celebrate their memory. For example, go out with your siblings to your mom's favorite restaurant and give her a toast.
Give yourself a break! This is not an easy time of year for a lot of people. Be gentle with yourself. It is the season of kindness and forgiveness, after all. Save some of it for yourself.
Disclaimer: I am obviously not a mental health professional, so these tips are simply meant to be friendly helpful hints with my own bias! If you think it would be helpful for you to speak with a licensed mental health professional, I would be happy to give you some recommendations of appropriate people.
