Throughout the year, there are many holidays that we celebrate with the people we care about. But there’s no time quite like the end of the year when there are multiple holidays so close to one another. These holidays are a wonderful time of the year when we get to see the friends and family that we love most and show how grateful we are for one another. 

As great as that is, the holidays can also get overwhelming. Between traveling, visiting with friends and family, answering the same questions over and over again, and everything else the holidays bring with them, things can get a little stressful at times. In fact, one survey shows that only 10% of individuals report feeling no stress during the holidays.

That’s why it’s important to be aware of what causes holiday stress and how to manage it so you can enjoy your time with loved ones. In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about dealing with holiday stress.

Tips for Holiday Stress Management

As much as we would like to avoid stress altogether, that’s not always possible. That’s why it’s important to know how to handle it and respond in a useful way instead of letting it spiral out of control. Here are some of the most useful holiday stress relief tips:

• Plan Ahead – One of the best ways to manage stress during holidays is to plan ahead. When you know what to expect and what is expected of you, you can limit—to some degree—what can go wrong or get out of hand. You can also make sure that you have time to do all of the things you want to do and don’t miss out on something, which could also end up creating more stress.

• Take a Breather – It’s also important to remember to take a breather. The holidays can be a lot, so make sure when you start to feel overwhelmed that you seek out some alone time. You can go into the bathroom, an empty room, or even outside. Anything to help remove yourself from the stressful situation and relax for a bit. You can also try focusing on your breathing to help you calm down when things get stressful. This can help to calm down, reset, and prepare yourself to socialize again. There are many different breathing exercises you can try, so you can find what works best for you and helps to relieve stress.

• Get Outside – Another tip for reducing stress during the holidays is to get outside. Yes, it’s often cold during the end of the year, but getting outside can help to improve your mood and self-esteem. Venturing outdoors also gives you the opportunity to take part in certain activities and even spend more quality time with your loved ones.

• Don’t Bottle Things Up – It’s also essential to not bottle things up during the holidays. Sometimes it feels like we have to hold things in when we are frustrated and stressed in order not to upset anyone. However, that can be unhealthy and lead to even more stress. Depending on the specific situation, consider voicing your feelings in a calm, respectful way. Sometimes people don’t understand that what they are doing is causing others stress, so speaking up and having an honest conversation can help to avoid any further stress moving forward.

• Learn To Say No – We try to do everything while we’re back with family and friends, but that’s simply not possible. It’s important to learn how to say no to things and prioritize your own physical and mental health. You should do the things you want to do, but actively work to not feel pressured into doing things you don’t want to or that you think will end up increasing your stress.

• Try To Maintain Healthy Habits – You should enjoy yourself during the holidays, but try to maintain some of your healthy habits during that time as well. It can be difficult, but doing so will help you preserve somewhat of a routine and help you to feel like your normal self. Exercising, eating healthy (most of the time), watching your portion control, and reading a book are all good ways to continue your positive lifestyle even during the holidays.

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