Jane is getting ready to leave for the airport to visit her husband’s family for Thanksgiving. She’s currently undertaking the task of trying to wake up her kids and her husband, but not very enthusiastically. She is not particularly looking forward to spending much time with the brother-in-law who owes them money, the sister-in-law whom she never got along with, and most of all the mother in law who never runs out of negative things to say about her. If it weren’t for all the money she spent on gifts and the plane tickets, she would really consider just going back to bed.
Sound familiar?
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the many stressors that accompany the predominantly joyous holiday season. It’s important not to let the stress of family gatherings and financial pressures get in the way of enjoying the festivities. Follow these tips to stay your happiest with your friends and family during the holidays:
Eat and drink in moderation. Gatherings mean food; a lot of food. This, however, is no excuse to overindulge in that double chocolate frosted cake. Watch your proportions and try to avoid too much caffeine. Eating too much will only add to your stress — and we all know what too much drinking could do.
Exercise. Exercise helps to reduce stress at any time of year, so make sure you give yourself time to hit the gym or go for a jog. Stress weakens the immune system, but the benefits of exercise include overall better mood and lower vulnerability to illness. It can also help clear your mind so you can make better choices, a plus during the notoriously busy holidays.
Budget. Research shows that lack of money is one of the biggest stressors during the holiday season. It is very easy to over spend on everything and anything during the holiday season. Give yourself a budget and make sure to stick to it. Rather than spending money on expensive gifts, try giving thoughtful homemade gifts. You might see that the receiver may be more appreciative of the thought put into the gift than the cost.
Meditate. Sometimes in the midst of the hustle and bustle, we just need to stop and meditate. When you feel our stress rise and catch ourselves blowing up on unsuspecting family members, try to find a place where you can be alone for a few moments to gather yourself and take a few deep breaths. Listen to soft music, look at the sunset, or go for a drive down a pretty road. Sometimes all we need is a little breather.
Be honest. Holidays can make feelings of loss even stronger if a family member has died, is sick, or the like. Rather than minimize or ignore the feelings, it is important to be honest and talk it out with other family members as a way to connect, mourn, and heal together. During this time, it is also good to try to put aside any differences because quarrels usually mean very little when compared to dealing with loss.
Be realistic. Picture perfect families and holidays are rarely ever the case in real life. Don’t feel the need to compare with idealized notions of how the holidays should be spent. This can lead to added unnecessary stress and disappointment. Sometimes it’s ok to just let things go. Pick your battles, because most of the things we tend to stress ourselves over mean very little in the bigger picture.
Seek professional help if needed. If you are having difficulty coping with the stress of dealing with family members during the already stressful season, clinical psychologists are trained to provide assistance. Make sure to seek professional help if you feel your stress, anxiety and low mood linger long after the holidays.
Be thankful. As Thanksgiving approaches, it gives us a chance to reflect on everything in our lives that we have gratitude for. During times of stress, it may be helpful to write a gratitude list of the positive things you’re thankful for. Even little things such as being able to witness the first snowfall of the year are things that can help put stressful times into perspective.
Follow these tips to keep your stress level in check throughout the season. Enjoy the holidays in good health and happiness and remember to take that Vitamin D3!
DASHA wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
