The holidays can be a bit of a puzzle for many people. They’re filled with parties, celebrations, and catching up with friends and family, but they can also bring a lot of stress. What’s fun for one person might be really stressful for someone else.
Not everyone enjoys going home for the holidays, and some people get so swamped with parties that they stop enjoying them. And the stress doesn’t disappear once the holidays are over either.
Here are five tips to manage stress both before and after the holidays:
1. **Manage Holiday Spending**: In 2015, Americans accumulated an average of $986 in holiday debt, mostly on credit cards. The problem with this is you end up spending months paying it back, with interest, adding more stress later on. It’s better to start saving early in the year and only spend what you’ve saved. If you can’t do that this year, set a budget and try to limit your credit card use. Your future self will thank you.
2. **Take Time for Yourself**: The holidays are packed with social obligations, which can be exhausting. It’s important to take some time for yourself, even if it’s just a few hours or, if you’re lucky, a whole weekend. Think of it like recharging your phone—you need to unplug and recharge too. This could also be a good time for a digital detox. Sometimes it seems like everyone wants your attention during the holidays, so turning off your phone for a bit can help you reconnect with what really matters to you.
3. **Keep Up with Exercise**: With the craziness of the holidays, your fitness routine might get sidelined. Don’t stress about being at your peak, but try to get in a few workouts. Holidays come with lots of rich food and can drain your energy. Exercise boosts your mood and energy, so if you’re feeling down or tired, a quick run, walk, jog, or yoga session can help.
4. **Pamper Yourself**: During the holidays, you’re often focused on others—buying gifts, cooking, and entertaining. While it’s nice, don’t forget your own needs. Take time for yourself and don’t feel guilty about pampering yourself a bit. Whether it’s a massage, a long bath, or a small treat for yourself, remember that you deserve a happy holiday too.
5. **Set Boundaries**: One of the toughest but most important things to do is set boundaries. Decide how many parties you’ll attend, whether you’ll travel home for the holidays, and if you can work overtime. It’s key to your well-being. This is important all year, but especially during the holidays, when guilt levels peak. Understand that you might disappoint some people, and that’s okay. They’re adults, and their happiness shouldn’t depend solely on you.
Remember, you don’t have to do everything. Besides basic needs like eating and sleeping, there’s very little you absolutely have to do during the holidays. Just because someone tries to make you feel obligated doesn’t mean you have to comply. Free yourself this holiday season to do more of what you want to do and less of what you feel you “have” to do.
