Holiday Stress Management While the holiday season can bring a lot of joy in celebrations and connections, it is also not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the number of items on your to do list and the mental and physical strain of travel, planning, and spending over the holiday. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you approach the holiday season:- Be realistic. This first tip applies to many of the stressors that come with the holiday season. It is important to set realistic goals for yourself in terms of time and financial commitments over the holiday season. This may mean saying “no” to some events or setting a strict budget for gifting. It is also important to practice accepting imperfection when something does not work out exactly as planned. Use helpful self-talk messages such as “good is good enough” or “I am doing enough” to support these more realistic expectations.
- Engage in self-soothing and self-care. Take breaks to soothe yourself and take care of your physical and mental health while dealing with extra stress. Calm your breathing with slow, deep breaths. Make some time to enjoy positive sensory experiences such as a warm shower, a soft blanket, or listening to your favorite music. Stay engaged in hobbies and activities that you enjoy. All these things can make you a little more resilient when stressful things come up and can give you a clearer head to approach the problem.
- Get some fresh air and sunlight. For many people the winter can be a difficult time as there is less sunlight and it is more difficult to get outside. This natural tendency for many people to feel a bit more depressed can make holiday stressors a little more difficult to deal with. Connecting with nature and getting sunlight can improve your mood and put you in a better place for solving problems and managing stressors.
If you know that the holidays are a stressful time for you, be intentional and plan now for some healthy habits and support. If you are struggling to manage holiday stress, support is available. Mental health professionals can help you develop coping strategies to manage the stress, anxiety, and depression that can come during the holiday season. World Kindness Day (11/13/2023) World Kindness Day is celebrated on November 13th and is a great opportunity to engage in some intentional acts of kindness. While acts of kindness have some obvious benefits to those on the receiving end, they also provide a variety of benefits for the giver including decreasing loneliness, increasing confidence, and increasing optimism. Here are a few ways that you can practice kindness:- Volunteering with local organizations that support causes that are important to you.
- Spreading positive messages to friends and family (in person or on social media).
- Donating items or money to important causes.
- Engaging in random acts of kindness.
- Checking in on someone that you know is having a hard time right now.
- Write a letter of gratitude to someone important to you.
Acts of kindness are often infectious and can have ripple effects on those we encounter. World Kindness Day celebrates these and other acts of kindness to build up a culture of compassion for others. Plan for an act of kindness and pay attention to the difference it makes – for you and for those receiving it. | 
