While we would all love to believe the song lyrics when it tells us the holiday season is the “most wonderful time of the year,” statistics show that even though it may be wonderful, it can also be a very stressful time of year! Forty-one percent of US adults say that their stress increases during the holidays (between November and January). So, in an effort to keep the happy in happy holidays, here are a few tips for tackling the holiday stress.
- Don’t overschedule! This time of year is often packed full of performances, concerts, parties, and family gatherings, not to mention all the cooking, shopping, wrapping and baking that gets thrown in during the holidays. This year, don’t be afraid to say no. You do not have to do it all. Figure out what things you really want to do (the ones that bring you joy) and do those. It is even okay to let go of some traditions if doing them have become more of a chore than a cheerful activity. Don’t be afraid to do something just for you too—maybe the Art and Soul support group at United for Waukesha Resiliency Center is just what you need!
- Manage gift giving and other expenses. Financial stress can be a real concern during the holidays, so making a realistic budget and then sticking to it can be significant in managing stress. Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Even a small gift given in love will be appreciated. You may consider making gifts or providing gifts of service or time in lieu of expensive presents.
- Don’t neglect your healthy routines. It is easy to get off track during the holidays with the food and/or alcohol we consume, late hours we keep, or disruption in our normal health maintenance. When we don’t take care of our physical bodies, our mental health is going to be affected as well. Resilient yoga offered at no cost through the Resiliency Center’s partnership with the Waukesha Rec Department is a great way to take care of our bodies (and it won’t contribute to any financial stress!) In addition to exercise, feed your body healthy foods, drink plenty of water and limit alcohol consumption. Make sure you are maintaining a reasonable sleep schedule and even though it is cold, try to get outside in the sunshine daily.
- Manage expectations. Often we dream about the perfect holiday celebrations with perfectly behaved family members all singing pitch perfect carols in harmony and homes decorated and meals prepared like the magazine pictures we see. And then we are inevitably stressed when things don’t turn out like we had imagined. This year, accept imperfection! Know that you can not control what other people say or do, but know that you can choose to respond with kindness. Don’t try to shoulder every task yourself-ask for help. Focus on what you are grateful for in the present. Remember to breathe and to laugh! Laughter relaxes the whole body and can relieve physical tension and stress.
- Honor your losses. Holidays can be very difficult times for those who have lost loved ones or are far away from family and friends. Make space for your grief. Share your feelings. Find community. Whether through churches, clubs, meet-ups, volunteering or at the United for Waukesha Resiliency Center, find others to share time with and receive support from. If you need to talk to someone urgently, you can always call or text 988, which is a suicide and crisis lifeline.