Seven Tips for Beating Holiday Stress

By: Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services
Sunday, November 19, 2017

Thanksgiving is just days away, marking the official beginning of the holiday season. 

And while it should be a jolly, festive time, for many of us it’s a season riddled with anxiety. Too much to do, the pressure to give gifts, the burden of attending countless get-togethers, and a shortage of money can all create elevated stress levels That leads to a recipe for bad behaviors we’re sure to regret later, such as overeating, drinking too much alcohol, or arguing with loved ones.  Ensure your holiday season is a happy one by following these seven strategies to relieve holiday stress:

1.     Don't overschedule. If you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed by your holiday agenda, don't overschedule your time and take on more than you can manage. Remember, it’s OK to slow down a bit.

2.     Limit comfort foods and drinks. During the holidays, it’s easy to use—or over-use—alcohol, sugar, and caffeine.  Think about what you’re eating and drinking, and limit your consumption of calorie-laden pleasure foods. 

3.     Forget perfection.  Stop obsessing over doing it all. The world is not going to end if the house is a little cluttered or dinner is on the table a few minutes late. Don't sweat the small stuff and your holiday will be much more enjoyable.

4.     Be sure to laugh. Don't neglect whatever cracks you up! Laughter reduces stress hormones and helps immune cells function better. Take time to catch a funny movie or TV show.

5.     Make time for you.  Our normal routines often go out the window during the holidays.  Stick to your exercise regimen, eat healthy meals, and get plenty of rest. Care for your body and your mind. Silence negative thinking and focus on your bliss. Allow time to reflect, relax, and recharge.

6.     Express gratitude. Telling others you care about and value them can do wonders to alleviate anxiety. Think of all the reasons that you’re grateful to your family and friends, and recount the happy memories you’ve shared over the years.  It’s sure to make you happier and more relaxed.

By becoming more mindful of your holiday experience, you can fully enjoy this fabulous, festive time of year.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.
Refresh

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

How to Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility

There are currently more than 51,000 assisted living facilities in the United States. While they generally serve the same population and support the same housing goals, they vary widely by size, cu...

Seven Ways to Help a Loved One Bereaved by Suicide

  “That ton of bricks that is thrust upon your shoulders by a loved one’s suicide never goes away. But you do get stronger shoulders.” – Frank Kaufman Increasingly, suicide is being viewed n...

Safe and Sound: What Every Senior Should Know About Home Safety

The global population is rapidly becoming dominated by senior citizens. By the year 2050, the senior population in the United States is expected to rise from 48 million to an astonishing 88 million...

Being There for a Caregiver: How You Can Ease the Burden

Caregivers are driven by their compassion and desire to support their loved one on his or her end-of-life journey. Motivated by concern, caregivers often neglect their own needs and forget about ta...

Have a Good Death: Making the Most of the Final Stages of Life

Why is it so important to understand what to expect at the end of life? Because if we know the conditions for a good death, we are more apt to prepare ourselves and the ones we love to die with dig...

Important Tips for a Memorable Eulogy

Writing a meaningful eulogy may seem like a daunting task. You may have mixed emotions about it, too. Part of you likely is honored by the request but you may also feel anxious and not sure how t...

An Important Conversation: Talking About Final Wishes

Sadly, many families face must deal with the situation in which a loved one passes away before his or her dying wishes are made known. Grieving family members left behind often find themselves lo...

Choosing Hospice Care: Seven Things You Need to Know

Hospice care focuses on the quality of life rather than its length. Hospice services are used when a person can no longer be helped by curative treatments and is expected to live about six months o...

It’s Hard to Believe, but Scamming the Bereaved Happens all the Time

After the death of a loved one, you expect to feel a range of emotions such as sadness and denial. What you may not anticipate is being preyed upon by bereavement scams from con artists and fraudst...

Here’s Why Estate Planning and Funeral Planning are Smart New Year’s Resolutions

As January approaches, most of us start thinking about our New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you’re determined to finally take that vacation of your dreams, lose the weight that’s been bothering you,...