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Wellness

Practical Tips for Managing Holiday Stress

Posted: December 14, 2021
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Your expectations of what the holidays must be like or creating the 'perfect' holiday for your family are what often lead to stress and disappointment. Considering these practical tips for managing stress during the holidays may help you find peace and joy during this busy time of year:  
 
  1. Be flexible: Holiday traditions can look different from year to year. Choose a few traditions to hold onto and be open to creating new ones.
  2. Plan: Say yes to events that you love! Be careful not to overfill your schedule. Over-committing your time and energy can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.
  3. Volunteer: Feeling lonely and isolated during the holiday season can be difficult. Volunteering your time to help others is a wonderful way to broaden your connections and lift your spirits.
  4. Reach out for help: If you find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to complete routine tasks and responsibilities, talk to your physician or a mental health professional. 
  5. Acknowledge your grief: Experiencing a cancer diagnosis in the family or the loss of a loved one are significant life events. It is good to recognize your sadness and grief. Taking time to cry or express your feelings is actually good for your body.
  6. Take a breather: Making time for yourself may seem a luxury during the holidays but spending just 15 minutes alone, without distraction, may refresh you enough to handle what you need to do. Listening to music, taking a walk in the evening to look at the stars... Find an activity that clears your mind, slows your breath, and restores inner calm. 
 
Being flexible and making time for yourself during the holidays can bring joy into this busy season.