Treat Yourself
November and December can be stressful as we approach the end of the year and holiday festivities. It’s easy to get caught up in the every day responsibilities that we hold wether it’s related to work, holiday obligations, or managing family expectations. Unfortunately, causing us to feel feelings of stress, anxiety, anger, and even depression. Now, the holidays don’t have to be all stress, doom, and gloom. By prioritizing our health, and even treating ourselves to the things we enjoy, we can get ahead and cope with the unforeseen stress that the holidays may bring. Keep reading to learn more about some helpful tips for managing stress this season…
Managing holiday stress at work
Consider taking time off if possible. Taking time off can provide you the opportunity to invest in your other passions, interests, or hobbies. It can also help create work-life balance so that you have the time to accomplish personal tasks.
Talk to your manager ahead of time. Ask about opportunities for adjusting workloads or making flexible arrangements over the holidays, such as remote work or flex schedules.
Make your time count. Notice places in your day where you might be mindlessly spending time on activities that are time-consuming, yet don’t bring you joy or closer to accomplishing your goals, such as scrolling on social media. Consider setting boundaries around these activities to leave more room for work productivity and meaningful personal time.
Finding balance
Prioritize the things that are most important to you, and say no to the rest.
Set realistic expectations for yourself, your friends, and for the goals you hope to accomplish during the holidays.
Make time for relaxation and exercise. Regularly practicing meditation and mindfulness has been proven to help reduce stress, improve sleep, and so much more.
Plan ahead! Wether it’s making a grocery list, or building an itinerary for holiday travels, preparation can help us address our unique holiday stressors before they happen.
Managing loss and grief
Don’t force yourself to celebrate. It’s OK if you’re not authentically feeling the holiday spirit.
Avoid comparing your holiday to the holidays of others who haven’t experienced a similar loss.
Tell trusted friends and loved ones how they can support you during this season.
Find a support group or online network related to grief and loss, and consider talking with a mental health care provider.
Additional tips and resources
If someone you know is in active recovery: communicate, encourage, and celebrate their recovery. Reduce holiday pressure by helping them create a back up plan for social situations, or by hosting festive, sober events.
Spend time with people who bring you joy and make you feel loved.
Unplug: replace doom scrolling with something that brings you joy. Treat yourself to a new restaurant, a new hobby, a new exercise class, or a day off to spend time with loved ones.
Consider volunteering and finding unique ways to give back to your community. With Giving Tuesday right around the corner, there are lots of opportunities to get involved.
We hope this serves as a valuable resource for managing stress during the upcoming holiday season. Remember, if you or someone you know needs someone to talk too, call or text 988 for support.