How to Deal with Holiday Stress

A holiday season with zero stress or strife is unfortunately a fairy tale for most people this time of year. The seemingly endless demands on your time and your wallet can create feelings of anxiety, shame, guilt and obligation.

Let's face it- the holidays are not the ideal place to begin to establish boundaries and navigate stress.  But how you deal with the inevitable heightened emotions that accompany this month can make a big difference in how you and your loved ones experience the holiday season.

Here are a few tips on ways to keep your season bright!

1. Stay in the present - Listen to your body. When you feel the tell tale signs of being overwhelmed start, remove yourself from the situation. Even if it's just to the nearest bathroom find a quiet place where you can clear your head. Hitting the reset button before re-entering the fray may not eliminate the problem but it can allow you to reframe things.

2. Plan Ahead- Set reasonable expectations when it comes to gift giving and budget accordingly. Come up with some stress free outings, like a nature hike, so you can spend quality time with your loved ones without draining your bank account.

3. Don't stretch yourself too thin - It's admirable to want to please everyone during this time of year, but be sure to take care of yourself along the way. Go out and meet a friend for coffee, or go to a movie, or even just take a nice long bath. It's not selfish to take time just for you.

4. Understand it's okay to say no -This is difficult for a lot of people, but your stress can impact both your physical health and the emotional well being of those around you. Be mindful of where you are in managing your emotions so that you do your best to avoid a breaking point. You don't have to attend every party, even if it's a family get together. If you simply don't feel like doing something, 'no, thank you' is a perfectly reasonable option.