HOW TO DEAL WITH HOLIDAY STRESS

Holidays are beautiful, away from the long hours of a heavy workload, tight deadlines and duty changes. In contrast, apart from holidays, we have weekends which seem to last like seconds. Having quality time with our loved ones is something special where we reconnect after months.

Many people associate the holidays with social gatherings, rituals, and happy memories. This provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen the love and relations between the family members by talking, dining, and doing things together.

There are a lot of expectations around the holidays, and these expectations can lead to stress. Making every meal count for the best compliments and making every gift look perfect can become overwhelming.

Finding the time to attend every party and make sure each day is memorable. When you add in the financial burden, travel, and visiting family members, stress can pile up quickly. It can also be difficult for people who have lost friends and family members. The memory of the loss can make it harder to cope with the holiday season.

Holiday stress looks much the same as regular day-to-day stress. It can affect the body in many ways, causing anxiety, sadness, headaches, and inability to sleep.

When stress is at its peak, it can be hard to cope with. Try to prevent anxiety and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional turn on you in the past.

· Reach out - If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events or communities.

· Be realistic - The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones.

· Stick to a budget - Before you do your gift and any shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with expensive gifts.

· Learn to say no - Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every activity.

· Don’t ignore healthy habits - Don't let the holidays become a free-for-everything. Overdoing all the unhealthy habits only adds to your stress and guilt.

If you’ve tried the tips above and you haven’t improved, or your symptoms continue after the holidays, consider speaking with a mental health professional. They can help you determine your biggest stress triggers and find ways to better cope with holiday stress.

When it comes to stress, listening to what your body and mind are telling you is essential. If a situation is too stressful, ask yourself why you feel the way you do and consider what you can do to manage your stress better. By learning how to cope with day-to-day stress, you can be better prepared to tackle holiday stress.