Don’t Let Holiday Stress Get You Down: 7 Tips for a Merrier Season

Many people think of the holidays as a time to relax and unwind. You might get some time off work or spend some much-needed time with family. 

On the other hand, the holidays can be a time of stress. Arranging travel, planning parties, and meeting year-end deadlines can all make the holidays stressful. 

If you’re anticipating a busy or stressful holiday season, Westmed Family Healthcare can help you prepare. At our office in Westminster, Colorado, you can visit trusted family providers Clifton Etienne, MD, Michael Cavanagh, MD, and Flora Brewington, MD, for preventive care, including annual wellness visits.

Our team can help you counteract stress during the holidays with healthy habits. Start by following these seven tips for a merrier season: 

1. Prioritize sleep

Sleep is your opportunity to reset each night, which can help you stay balanced during one of the busiest seasons of the year. Make sure you get enough sleep each night to ensure you’re ready for long travel days and bustling family get-togethers. 

You can get a good night’s sleep by improving your sleep hygiene, which involves preparing your mind, body, and environment for rest. We recommend: 

• Only using your bed for sleep
• Avoiding naps
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol late in the day
• Avoiding screen time before bed
• Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule of 7-9 hours per night
• Keeping your bedroom as dark and quiet as possible

It might not be as easy to get consistent sleep if you’re traveling for the holidays, but try your best. Better sleep means less stress any time of year. 

2. Avoid overbooking

There are usually lots of events happening around the holidays, and it’s easy to overcommit. 

Instead of saying yes to every community event and group gathering, try to pick a select few you know you’ll attend. That way, you still have plenty of time for relaxation and more energy for your preferred holiday plans. 

3. Make a budget

Financial constraints can add stress to an already demanding time. To avoid this extra layer of pressure, create a holiday budget and stick to it. Make sure to account for food, gifts, and any ticketed events you’d like to attend. 

If you have extra funds left over after budgeting, you can use them for self-care activities like a spa day or weekend getaway to reset once the holiday season has passed. 

4. Set the scene

If you’re at home for the holidays, even if you’re hosting, you have control over how the environment looks and feels. Research shows that environmental factors such as bright scents and music improve feelings of well-being.

Some people find that decorating the home and lighting a few candles makes all the difference in how they feel this time of year. You can decide between a quiet environment, soft music, or a social atmosphere. 

5. Take time for yourself

Too much family time can be a stressor for some people. Whether you have disagreements or just don’t feel relaxed in crowded settings, holiday socializing can cause more stress than it resolves. 

Be sure to take small breaks if you feel overwhelmed by the social aspects of the holidays. Take a short walk, spend a few minutes unwinding in a private room, or volunteer to make the next trip to the store. 

In any case, time alone can help de-escalate holiday tiffs or give you the brief social reset you need to re-energize. 

6. Be mindful of eating and drinking

Food and drinks often take center stage at holiday gatherings, and it’s easy to overindulge in hearty meals, treats, and alcohol. 

Overeating and drinking too much can throw off a healthy routine or even cause health problems like holiday heart syndrome, a type of cardiac arrhythmia. 

To avoid this, try strategies like using a smaller plate to control portion sizes, having a healthy snack of fruits or veggies before a large meal, or only having one or two drinks if you choose to consume alcohol. 

7. Make realistic resolutions

If you plan to make a New Year's resolution, set realistic goals you’re certain you can achieve. Out-of-reach resolutions can set you up for failure or make you feel inadequate. 

If you make realistic resolutions, you set yourself up for small, encouraging wins and a lot less stress. 

Get in touch

If you need extra help preparing for a happy and healthy holiday season, get in touch for a wellness visit. Call Westmed Family Healthcare to book an appointment today. Call our office or schedule a visit online.