5 Ways To Cope With The Stress Of The Holidays
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

5 Ways To Cope With The Stress Of The Holidays

The holidays are known for being a time of happiness and cheer. But, they are also known for being one of the most stressful times of the year as well. Here are five ways that have helped me to cope with the stress that getting presents and seeing family around this time of year.

annarugolo
Dec 20, 2019
Millennials of New Jersey
6
pexels.com
https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-color-gift-boxes-1303085/

Ahhhh, its that time of year again! The time that can fill people with the most joy and cheer, and the most stress. The rate of anxiety attacks increases drastically over the holiday season, because of the increase in stress that this time of year can cause on a person. For those of you who are struggling through this time of year, here are five ways to cope with the stress that the holiday season can bring.

1. Stick to a gift budget.

One of the most stressful parts of the holiday season is buying presents for family members. It can be easy to get caught up in finding the perfect present for people. Stores can be an overwhelming place filled with so many things to buy that it induces more stress than it should. One way to minimize this stress is by sticking to a gift budget. This way, when you walk into a store, you know to focus on things that are the price you are aiming for. This budget will keep your gifts balanced for each person, and will allow for you to manage your money through the holiday season.

2. Don't completely abandon your daily routine. 

The holidays are a time where a lot of unexpected things and people are brought into your day. One way to reduce the holiday stress is by taking it back to the basics. Where there are a lot of things that you cannot control around the holiday season, find the things that you usually focus on and can control, like your daily routine. By continuing to do things like eating when you typically eat in a day, and working out, you will not only be a better person for yourself, but for your family.

3. Plan ahead.

We all know that feeling you get in your chest when you realize that you forgot to get a present for someone. You then have to rush to the store last minute just hoping that you have enough time to get the presents. The best way to prevent this is by planning ahead. If you make a list of what you want to get people, and stick to the list and get the presents weeks in advance, you will prevent the chance of last minute scramble for presents that usually happens.

4. Avoid conflict. 

We all know that no family is perfect. Every family has their own set of drama that can cause for tension over the holiday season. One way to lower the stress over the holidays is to set aside differences that you share with relatives when having conversations with them. By avoiding conflict, it can help you to be able to get through the holiday season with these difficult relatives with the least amount of stress possible.

5. Take some time for yourself. 

During the holidays, you are surrounded by a lot more people then you usually are in your everyday life. It can be extremely overwhelming to walk into a room and to be expected to hold conversations with people you do not usually talk to. A way to reduce stress caused by this is by taking a ten minute break. Just go to the bathroom, and take some time for yourself. Do some deep breathing, reset, and go back outside. This will allow for you to be less overwhelmed by the amount of people around you, and you will be able to enjoy the time spent with your family more this way.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

Siena College
17031
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
small towns
Relationships

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you.

University of New Haven
294964
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
90949
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
153291
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
63686
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments