‘Tis The Season Of Stress: How To Cope When Your Christmas And Thanksgiving Are Not So Merry

Festive Stress: Don’t Let It Ruin Your Christmas And Thanksgiving

What’s not to like about Christmas and Thanksgiving? It turns out; there is actually quite a lot.

You busted your bank account to buy gifts for people you don’t even like, you have to follow the unreasonably restrictive holiday traditions, and then you have to endure the constant nagging from toxic relatives.

You then feel the loss of control as people you rarely see lay siege to your home as you have the unbelievable amount of workload as you struggle to cook, clean and decorate your house.

The notion that your meticulously kept year-long diet will soon go to waste can take a heavy toll on your mind and body. Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, holiday stress can — and frequently does — ruin the most wonderful time of the year.

With the holidays just around the corner, here are some of the things that can help defeat festive stress.

 

Don’t Go Overboard

We overdo it by trying to please others during the holidays. Whether it’s shopping, cooking, accepting invites or sending holiday greetings, learn to say no at least once or twice. In our quest to make others happy, we end up making ourselves miserable. It’s time we put our happiness first.

 

Stop Trying to Be Perfect

Nobody is perfect, and the truth is, most people do not have perfect holidays and perfect families as we assume. So you need to stop stressing over every little detail. It doesn’t matter if the house is a bit cluttered or if the turkey is a bit dry or if your aunt keeps asking about your estranged spouse. Focus on enjoying the time spent with your loved ones and your holidays will be much more enjoyable.

 

Walk Away From Your Troubles

Literally, start walking. More than one research study says taking a simple brisk walk can reduce stress and boost your mood. It’s even better if you get a healthy dose of sunlight with it. Believe it or not, sunlight actually helps brighten your mood by producing feel-good serotonin and alleviating the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

 

Switch Off

Go totally tech-free, and you’ll notice how much difference that makes. The constant ringing of the cell phone keeps a person on their toes, and sooner or later, that is bound to get exhausting. Shut off your cell phone and spend some quality time with your family this holiday season.

 

Think About A Massage This Christmas

Nothing is stopping you from indulging yourself. A massage can help you reduce muscular tension and stress and improve your sleep cycle — a disturbed sleep is a big factor in increased stress levels. So why not gift yourself a massage this Christmas?

 

Turn Up The Melody

Music is food for the soul, right? The University of Maryland researched that listening to music can decrease elevated blood pressure and anxiety level in both healthy people and individuals with health problems. Go ahead and listen to music, whether it’s a Christmas carol or a chart-topper by Beyonce.

 

Take a Real Holiday

What better time to wind down than the holidays? Don’t do your usual chaotic Thanksgiving and Christmas parties this year. Instead, escape with your loved one to a remote retreat and fall off the radar. A short relaxing trip of just four or five days can do wonders for your well-being.

Preparing for holidays can bring your emotions to a breaking point. You need to remember holidays are a time for cheer and enjoyment. You cannot force yourself to be merry but simply a positive outlook and some quality time spent with your loved ones can give you a reason to smile.