The holidays can be hectic for many, with all the planning and preparation, but it does not have to be. By practicing mindful coping strategies, there are healthy ways to deal with the pressure. Here are five ways to effectively manage holiday stress this year!
#1 – Prioritize Healthy Habits
Don’t let holiday stress lead you to abandon healthy habits. While increasing your social plans for the holidays, make sure that you are maintaining as much of your regular routine as you can.
- Stay consistent with medication compliance.
- Avoid excess alcohol, tobacco, or substance use.
- Practice self-care.
- Eat well-balanced and nutritious meals. Eat meals with fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, and healthy fats.
- Stay consistent with an exercise routine.
#2 – Be Realistic and Learn to Say No
The holiday season tends to invite an extensive list of engagements and commitments. Don’t feel obligated to take part in every activity or outing. It is okay to allow yourself to set those boundaries and say no. You might also find it helpful to invest in a planner or calendar to keep all your holiday plans organized.
#3 – Set SMART Goals instead of New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions can often be daunting, and the build-up behind them can lead to unrealistic expectations.
This New Year set SMART goals instead of New Year’s Resolutions. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Each of these letters asks a specific question pertaining to the goal being set.
S – Specific – asks what the goal is going to achieve.M – Measurable – asks how the goal is going to be measured.
A – Attainable – asks what is realistic in terms of the goal.
R – Relevant – asks why this goal is pertinent.
T – Time Bound – asks when the goal is to be achieved by.
By setting SMART goals, you are setting realistic goals for which you can hold yourself accountable.
#4 – Take Care of Yourself
While the busy season of the holidays takes over, self-care can often be misrepresented as a lesser priority. Allow yourself to prioritize you this holiday season. Take some time to recharge. Setting aside some time for yourself could be just the thing that you need.
Here is a list of self-care ideas to try:
- Go on a walk
- Watch a comforting movie
- Journal your thoughts or feelings
- Read your favorite book
- Listen to music, podcasts, or an audiobook
- Take a nap
- Meditate
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup!
#5 – Reach out
Navigating through the holidays and the associated stress does not have to be something you go through alone. Whether you may need some extra emotional or physical support, call up a friend or family member who just may be able to provide that for you.
Seek professional help if you feel that you need it by talking to your doctor or another mental health professional.
Here at Salience TMS, remission for our patients is our number one goal. We work together, relentlessly, to innovate TMS therapy, develop better patient outcomes, and collaborate with our communities to transform mental health care. Our team consists of educated, caring, and compassionate individuals dedicated to reducing suicide in the US by changing the delivery model of behavioral health. Learn more about TMS therapy and see if TMS is right for you.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255 or use the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741-741.
The Behavioral Health Support Line uses a statewide directory to provide immediate behavioral health screening and referrals to providers at no cost. Call 1-800-923-HELP.
References:
4 mindful tips to De-Stress this holiday season. 4 Mindful Tips to De-Stress This Holiday Season | Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021, November 10). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/4-mindful-tips-to-destress-this-holiday-season
Gordon, J. P. (2016, December 19). Holiday stress: Causes, management, and more. Healthline. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/holiday-stress#causes
Lawlor, K. B. (2012). Smart goals: How the application of smart goals can contribute to achievement of student learning outcomes. In Developments in business simulation and experiential learning: Proceedings of the annual ABSEL conference (Vol. 39).
Maintaining mental health during the holiday season. NAMI California. (2022, November 21). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://namica.org/blog/handling-stress-during-the-holiday-season/
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, December 11). Tips for coping with Holiday Stress. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
Northwestern Medicine. (n.d.). 6 tips to help with holiday stress. Northwestern Medicine. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/emotional-health/tips-to-help-with-holiday-stress
Peter Reisner, M. D. (2022, August 25). Tips to fend off holiday stress. Mayo Clinic Health System. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/fend-off-holiday-stress-with-these-tips
