The holiday season is a time for giving, but it can also be a time of stress. Many of us will spend more time with friends and family, which can bring many benefits. However, it’s also easy to get caught up in the chaos of the season, leading to feelings of stress or anxiety.
We all deal with stress differently, but there are some steps you can take to help reduce the effects on your mental health. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy this holiday season:
- Set realistic expectations. Be realistic about what you can do throughout the holiday season. Avoid setting an excessive number of goals for yourself by limiting how many social events you attend each week and scheduling breaks between them to allow time for recovery.
- Get enough sleep. It’s common to lose sleep during the holidays, especially if you are traveling or have lots of extra commitments. If you are getting less sleep than usual, it might be harder for you to cope with stress, so try to get back on track before the stressors of the holiday season start adding up.
- Use positive self-talk. Instead of focusing on all that is going wrong this holiday season, try expressing gratitude for all that is going right in your life. Practice positive self-talk even when things aren’t going well—it will help you feel less stressed throughout this hectic time of year!
- Take care of yourself first . It’s easy to get distracted by all of the hustle and bustle around holiday events. Remember that self-care is important — and that includes looking after your mental health as well as your physical health. Make sure to take a break from the madness every now and then so you can give yourself time to relax and recharge.
