01 Dec Coping with Holiday Stress

As the holiday season begins, it is critical to take time to support your overall mental wellbeing. For some, the holiday season is a joyful time. But, for others the increase in responsibilities can become overwhelming. The top holiday stressors include:

• Gift shopping (56%)
• Crowds and lines (54%)
• Cleaning (45%)
• Knowing what to get people (38%)
• Cooking (36%)

If you find yourself overwhelmed, stop and reevaluate. Ask yourself – is this really necessary? Your own expectations may be the very things that bring on your holiday stress. Try using these tips to help prevent holiday stress:

• Ask people what they want instead of scouring the Earth to find the “perfect” gift.
• Don’t over-schedule yourself.
• Allow enough time to relax and recover after visiting with others.
• Avoid starving yourself in anticipation of eating at holiday parties. This approach can lead to eating too much of the wrong food.
• Set priorities and let go of impossible goals.
• Rest when your body tells you to do so.

While holiday stress may be seasonal, depression can be year-round. If your holiday anxiety seems severe or is interfering with your job or home life, talk to your doctor or to a counselor.

Zeiders is honored to help military members and their families deal more effectively with stress through educational services and counseling for personal stress and operational stress.