Pre-Holiday Stress? Try these 5 Things

The most wonderful time of the year is often the most stressful time of the year as well. And what creates holiday stress? Three things:

Not Enough Time

Not Enough Money

Family

But this year we’re obviously going to have a very different holiday season. Some people have lost their jobs, so time really isn’t an issue (I’ll get to money in a moment). But brave front line workers may be more strapped for time than ever. Most of us won’t really be seeing our family and instead celebrating in a socially distanced way. And while some may be relieved by that, others will be feeling the ache of missing out on that special time. Then there is the financial stress of the holidays. Money is tight for pretty much everyone this year, especially for those on unemployment.

Safe to say, we need some holiday joy more than ever. So next time you start to feel seasonal pressure, here are five tips to managing stress during the holidays.

1. Take some Deep Breaths …

And maybe create a holiday mantra.

2. Keep an open mind and a sense of humor

The holiday season can pass by in a flurry of shopping, baking, get togethers, events and gift exchanges. As I said before, a lot of these fun times will not be happening but if we can get creative with how we celebrate, like opening gifts over FaceTime, we’ll get through this together!

3. Make a Budget

Just like Santa – make out your gift list! Then figure out exactly how much you can afford to spend without breaking the bank. And stick with it.

4. Take some time for yourself

A great gift that you can give to yourself is the gift of time. Whether you can afford to splurge on a spa treatment to melt away holiday stress or it’s just taking a walk (bonus points if you use a Christmas playlist), being able to spend a bit of time on your own to just relax and decompress can really relieve holiday stress.

5. And most importantly, remember the reason for the season …

While most people will say I’m getting religious here, I’m actually talking about taking time to be grateful for everything we have. It’s been a really tough year for us all. But the future is looking bright. So let’s be thankful for our friends, our family, and if you’re lucky enough to be healthy and have a job in these uncertain times, make sure you take that into account the next time you start to feel your blood pressure rise.