It\u2019s holiday season and ideally, it\u2019s the most wonderful time of the year. It\u2019s a season that brings guests, travel (if you\u2019re lucky), shopping, sleep-ins, and quality time with friends and family. But planning for the holiday season isn\u2019t as idyllic or carefree as we want it to be. In many cases, it comes with anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness, pressure, and financial stresses, to name a few. We\u2019ve put together a guide to help you get through the upcoming holiday season.<\/p>\n
International Stress Awareness Week (7-11 November) was established in 2018 to highlight the need for stress awareness and its management. Building resilience and reducing stress are this year\u2019s topics to engage in conversation between individuals and businesses. The hope is that through these dialogues, the stigma around stress and mental health will be heard and resources made more accessible to all who need it.<\/p>\n
But with stress so rampant and affecting everyone at home and at work, how to manage stress can be lifesaving. Here are a few practical ways to get you through the holidays with as little stress as possible.<\/p>\n
Work, family, health, and finances are all factors that can lead to our stress levels being heightened. Stress<\/a> affects everyone differently. Thus, it\u2019s important for us to minimize chronic stress due to its effects on one\u2019s overall health.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, for some, the holiday season can have an emotional toll. And at the height of the stress levels and situations, it can be difficult to stop, center yourself and find help.<\/p>\n If you struggle with stress and mental health, it\u2019s important that you learn your triggers. Your inner emotions and personal struggles are highlighted during the season because in many ways, life \u201cquietens down\u201d. Know when you need to take time to be alone. Discover what helps you get back to \u201cyourself<\/a>\u201d. Do more of what make you happy.<\/p>\n This means planning your holiday travel ahead of time. Book your flight tickets, travel dates, and itinerary as well as your possible can. Planning also relates to your finances. Decide how much you have to spend for food, clothes, gifts, and travel. Swiping your card and spending more than you have can cause financial stress. Create a budget<\/a> and stick as close to it as possible and make room for unexpected costs.<\/p>\n The holiday season can make some individuals feel lonely and isolated, even when they\u2019re with people. Sometimes it\u2019s those closest to us who can trigger our mental health and add to the stress the season brings. During this time, you can feel isolated and without anyone to love and support you. But it\u2019s important to know where to get help when you feel low.<\/p>\n When the need arises, pick up the phone and call.<\/p>\n Saying \u201cno\u201d is not as easy for some people as it is for others. But it\u2019s a very necessary skill to learn. \u201cUnfestive\u201d as it may seem to others, it\u2019s as good a time to learn how to say no as any. You\u2019ll be relieved to know that the world will not stop if you say no and although some may be upset for a minute, people very quickly move on and make alternative plans. Saying no is a great way to establish your boundaries<\/a> and ensures that others do as much work as you do.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to get lost in the spirit of the season and the festivities that you let go off the healthy habits<\/a> you built so hard over the year. When this happens, the loss of routine and structure can result in you feeling lost and overwhelmed by everything that\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n
Practical Guide to Stress Management over the Holidays<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Self-check-in<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Plan ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Have help at hand<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Say no<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Maintain your healthy habits<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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