The holidays can always bring extra stress, and an increase in gatherings can make it difficult to stick to your self care routine. We often only see some people during the holidays, so we tend to push beyond our limits to get in as much time with them as possible. Holiday time can also bring with it stress from needing to travel out-of-town, and an increase in financial spending. Finding ways to maintain balance during a normally stressful time will help you beat the holiday woes.

Holiday gatherings at the end of the calendar year tend to be some of the most stressful. But other holidays during the rest of the year can be more challenging for some. Figure out what you need to do for your own self care, regardless of which holiday you are celebrating. Be intentional with your choices—who you spend your time with and what activities to pursue.

The Holidays Aren’t Always Merry

The holidays can often be a time of hardship and loneliness. Tensions naturally escalate during the holidays for everyone, but even more so for people that are having a harder time. The stressors of having to do more, spend more, and commit more can all drain you.

Holiday cheer can irritate those that aren’t in the spirit. Traffic is a nightmare. Crowds everywhere make it hard to not feel energy fatigue after being out, even for regular errands. There’s more illness spreading through the community, putting you at greater risk of getting sick. And time seems to fly so you get less done in a day.

It’s hard not to have an alcoholic drink with the myriad of festive drinks tempting you. If you are trying to cut down, or if you have recently stopped, it’s important to be aware of this trigger and have a plan in place.

Grief can also reappear. The loss of loved one earlier in the year, or even in prior years, can be top of mind. Not everyone enjoys spending time with groups of people, and that is okay. Be kind to others if you notice they are struggling, and be kind to yourself. If you really don’t feel like being a social butterfly this time, that’s okay. Prepare in advance what you can say to people. It can be as simple as saying that you can’t make it.

Furthermore, depending on where you live, sometimes we forget that not everyone we encounter has the same traditions. In an effort to be more inclusive of other cultures, religions, and values, don’t make assumptions that everyone knows or understands what your personal traditions are.

Preparation Helps Reduce Holiday Stress

By being proactive and planning, you can make sure you identify before the holidays begin, what you need to do for yourself. You also want to pre-book time when you will check-in with yourself. When we get busy, it’s easy to forget to do our check-ins. It’s hard to keep our normal routines when we have new obligations.

At the very least, you need to make sure you maintain your self care pillars despite any interruptions to your regular schedule. Make sure to rest as much as possible. With increased activity, your energy reserves will deplete more easily. With all kinds of treats and special meals being prepared, it is hard to not be tempted. Indulge a little, but try to make healthy choices too. Try to get a little time to exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk.

Although you will be invited to spend time with colleagues, friends, and family, make conscious decisions of which gatherings you attend. We often feel obligated to attend everything we are invited to, and corporate gatherings at times make you feel like you have no choice. Too many gatherings, even if we look forward to them, can be exhausting. You can always make an appearance and politely excuse yourself when you are ready to go. You will most likely feel overwhelmed at some point, and that is okay.

Use the holidays to reflect on what is important to you.

We often wish people happiness and peace during the holidays, and ironically they can often be full of commotion. When commitments become overwhelming, don’t compromise your self care. It is difficult to put your well-being first during the holidays because we feel bad if we turn someone down. This is a great opportunity to practice putting your boundaries in place, if it doesn’t serve you, then don’t commit.

The intent of the holidays is to spend time with those we care about and to partake in activities we normally don’t get a chance to do. With so much to do, it is easy to forget the simple things in life. Take a few moments to be grateful for what you have. Prioritize yourself. Find time to rest and nurture your body and soul, and carve out time to have a little fun.

IMAGE CREDIT: Pexels | Jill-Wellington.