The holiday season is almost here. With it comes a dizzying number of tasks. You may have to make travel arrangements for a family get-together. Try to decide on the best luggage brands for your holiday trips. Shop for the perfect gifts to all your loved ones. Find time to bake treats for the office. Plus, you still have to fit in all your normal activities.
Don’t let the holiday stress make the season unbearable. Get tips to help you deal like asking for help from Eddins Counseling.
Stick to a budget
All the extra expenses the holiday brings can leave people stressed and even feeling depressed if they can’t afford the gifts they want to give their loved ones. Not to mention, overspending during the holidays leaves people starting the new year off on the wrong foot.
Instead, determine a holiday budget. Whether it be a gift budget for your exchanges or a budget dictating the amount you’ll spend on hosting a holiday dinner, decide what you can comfortably spend and stick to it.
Acknowledge your feelings
The first holiday without a loved one is difficult. Especially if you already don’t have a lot of family to spend it with.
Be open about your feelings. If you are missing someone, talk about it. Express your feelings of loss and sadness to family members or friends. They may be feeling the same way you are.
Don’t be afraid to say “no”
Many people find themselves with bloated calendars at the end of the year. Between hosting parties and volunteering to help those in need, you may find you simply don’t have enough time in your day for everything.
Don’t let the extra tasks stress you out or cause you to feel overwhelmed this holiday season. Know that it is okay to say “no” when people ask you to do things. You may be surprised by the impact taking one job off your plate can make on your stress levels.
Keep your routines as much as possible
It’s not uncommon for people to get out of their regular routine around the holidays. Some even use it as an opportunity to eat things they wouldn’t normally or binge on junk food. But, changing your diet and daily routine can leave you feeling stressed and unhappy.
As much as possible, follow your regular routine. This includes eating the same foods you usually do and continuing to go to your exercise classes. Not only can workouts boost your mood, it can also help prevent you from packing on the holiday pounds.
Take time for yourself
Having extra people around constantly during the holidays can take a toll, no matter how much you love your family. Everybody needs a break and some time to themselves to recharge and do something they enjoy.
Be sure to take an hour or two each week, or even just 15 minutes each day, to yourself. Get out and go for a walk, read the next chapter of your favorite book, or soak in a bubble bath to ease your stress levels.
Ask for help if you need it
No matter how hard you attempt to manage your holiday stress levels, sometimes you just need some extra help. If you are struggling to deal with the holiday season, don’t muddle through and struggle on your own. Reach out.
Making an appointment at Eddins Counseling who can help you cope with seasonal stress and depression, and offer you ways to cope. Sometimes, having someone available just to listen can make all the difference in the world.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.