6 Healthy Ways To Handle Holiday Stress
By Claire Hannum. Photo: Getty.
It's no secret that the "most wonderful time of the year" is also often the most stressful. The holiday season may bring lots of joy, but it can also mean coming face-to-face with financial strain, tense family relationships, and endless to-do lists. Friends, don't fret: There's hope. You can make things a bit easier by taking extra care of yourself during the holidays. "The first thing is to recognize is that stress is not something that happens to us, but how we respond to circumstances," Heidi Hanna, Ph.D., of the American Institute of Stress tells SELF. "Life is full of challenges and obstacles, and when handled with a sense of grace and ease can build us up rather than tear us down." Below, a few healthy ways to channel holiday stress.
1. Get outside and break a sweat.
Unplugging to spend some time in nature is a great way to slow down overwhelming thoughts and reconnect with the present moment. A nice walk in the park—or even just around the block—can help remind you what really matters to you. It's even better if you can find a way to squeeze in some extra exercise while you're out, because endorphins are your BFF in times of stress. "Physical exercise helps decrease stress hormones and builds a more resilient body and mind," Hanna explains.
2. Focus on gratitude.
Remind yourself of everything that makes your life wonderful, and of exactly why you appreciate those things. Every morning (or just when you're feeling extra low), jot down a few things that you're grateful for. You may even enjoy sending a thank-you note to someone you love, or baking them a few extra holiday cookies.
3. Meditate.
"Start each day focusing on what really matters," Hanna suggests. "It’s critical to intentionally direct your attention to the things that are most important to you before you allow your brain to get taken over by the negative news and noise of the world." This is especially true this time of year, when you're regularly bombarded with holiday advertisements and bright lights everywhere you turn. Hanna suggests that people experiencing extra stress set aside three to five minutes every morning to "[meditate] on what you appreciate in life, and plan time throughout the day to do nice things for others."
4. Be of service to others.
"There is no greater buffer to stress than serving others," Hanna explains. Volunteering, even for an hour or two every few weeks, is an excellent way to escape the trappings of your own stressed-out mind. If it's tough to squeeze volunteer work into a packed holiday schedule, find time to be kind to others in your everyday life. Holding the door for a stranger or paying for the person behind you on the coffee shop line may not make all your stressors magically disappear, but it certainly helps lighten your emotional load—and it's guaranteed to brighten someone else's day, too.
5. Don't feel guilty for needing downtime.
In this 24/7 world, most of us are constantly on the go. Mix in a whirlwind of holiday parties and gift shopping, and that breakneck pace becomes even more difficult to maintain. It's completely human—and healthy—to take periodic breaks to rest up. "Build in some extra downtime to recharge your inner battery," Hanna suggests. "Be sure to get enough sleep to repair your system." Aim to get 7.5 to 9 hours of shut-eye each night.
6. Watch or listen to things that bring you joy.
It's hard to remember now, but at one point, you'd never heard the words "bills" or "work deadlines" before, and this season was solely about candy canes and ~whimsy~. Take yourself back to the holidays of your childhood by carving out time to enjoy things that make you happy. "Put together a positivity playlist, with songs that inspire you or help you unwind," Hanna suggests. Pop on your favorite holiday tunes. Press "play" on Love Actually for the twentieth time—we won't tell. If it helps you reconnect to the joy at the heart of the holidays, it's worth your while. Remember: You can get through this. It will be January before you know it.
Related: - 5 Lessons You Can Learn From Introverts About Surviving The Holiday Party Season - It’s The Holidays—Eat, Indulge, And Stop Feeling Bad About It - Here's How To Wrap A Present In 15 Seconds
This story originally appeared on Self.
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