5 STEPS TO LESS HOLIDAY STRESS

• 5 STEPS TO LESS HOLIDAY STRESS

With the Holiday Season around the corner, we begin to start making plans for festivities that are packed with food, gifts and fun.  The climate change in the air, holiday music playing over the radio and festive colors are exciting- however, let’s be honest, it’s also quite exhausting physically and
emotionally.

This year, take heart in creating a positive holiday season for yourself. These five steps can help you create your own special experience and memories. 

1.  You must create a healthy balance. By minimizing expectations, managing time and tasks wisely, you can create a mindful and balanced experience. Remember the most important part of the holiday festivities are to enjoy your friends and family!

2.  The holidays can bring in feelings of separation of friends, family and /or mourning the loss of a loved one.  Although, it is appropriate to mourn the loss of their presence, do not withdraw from the joy that holidays can bring. If you can't be with those you love  this is a good time to plan celebration in honor of them. Go out and make their presence known in some fulfilling way, join in charitable cause, help those less fortunate, or revisit places you used to share with them. 
 
3.  Reduce stress by planning ahead! Not planning ahead can lead to over-spending and purchasing unwanted or less than desirable items. Create a spending plan/ budget and
stick to it. Remember to give from the heart and not to spend to make the heart heavy!

 4.  Avoid becoming run down both emotionally and physically.  Beware of what you are taking in (food/drink) and what you put out (calories/ exercise).  It is normal to indulge in our sense of taste and quench our thirst, during the holiday festivities. Remember that certain foods and drinks can affect your mood and result in having less energy and over all discomfort.

5. Initiate change by knowing what you are getting into. Some friends or family members have the tendency to display less than optimal attitudes, and in the past have made you feel bad, or brought back left-over’s from previous holidays emotional carnage. Likely this will not change. Don’t
allow them to push your buttons. Adjust your attitude. Acceptance and forgiveness are
key.

As we continue on in the weeks ahead, I will cover in my blog, areas of the Holidays that can bring about depression and/or anxiety. This year we can work together to create the optimal and best experience for your personalized situation!

As always, please feel free to comment below or message me privately.