The holidays are a magical, festive time that give us an opportunity to spend time with our loved ones and count our blessings. However, the influx of seasonal events and commitments also means that “the most wonderful time of the year” can easily become the most stressful time of the year, especially when trying to juggle the realities of day-to-day life with all of your holiday festivities. In the blink of an eye, the holiday season can make all of us feel stretched too thin and wishing we could stay home and take a nap instead of attending your 5th holiday party of the week. It’s difficult to maintain the joy of the holidays when you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities and events, but it’s important not to lose sight of what the season should be about. Here are a few tips on how to avoid having a holiday-induced mental breakdown and manage your stress this winter season.
- Create a holiday budget – and stick to it. Showering your loved ones in gifts is an amazing feeling, but it’s also expensive. Heading into the holidays, identify how much money you can set aside for expenses and don’t allow yourself to go over it. In addition to presents, make sure you budget for things like a Christmas tree if you buy a live one, a larger grocery budget, gift wrap, and travel if you will be visiting family.
- Set boundaries. As Psych Central explains, it’s ok to admit that you are only one person and can’t do it all. In fact, it’s good for your mental health to come to grips with this fact. You don’t have to attend every event, bake every treat, and volunteer every time you are asked this holiday season. Start early by establishing boundaries for yourself. Decide where you need to draw the line and then don’t be afraid to say “No” when the activity or event doesn’t line up with what fits within your boundaries.
- Prioritize self care. This is something you should do year-round, but it’s especially important during the holidays. Don’t fill all of your vacation days and time off of work with a full schedule of activities. Instead, be sure to balance out all of your events by penciling in some time to relax and recharge. Don’t sacrifice your mental health in the name of attending every party you’re invited to, and prioritize yourself so you can head into the New Year ready to take on the world.
- Don’t ditch your healthy habits. It’s easy to fall off the dieting wagon and abandon our established healthy habits during the holidays. All too often we overindulge on the pumpkin pie and have a second, or third, helping of grandma’s famous dressing. However, overindulgence can lead to stress and guilt, and it can be bad for our health. Remember, it’s okay to enjoy your favorite holiday dishes, but enjoy them in moderation and be mindful of portion control.
