How to Cope with Holiday Stress

We all know the holiday season tends to intensify our emotions in ways that are both pleasant and painful. While some might feel joy and excitement this time of year, others’ Yuletide cheer is often tempered with feelings of stress, sadness, and frustration. 

Reconnecting with family and old friends can be both sweet and maddening. Anxiety is  common around social events, especially for those going through financial hardship, loss of a loved one, or any other big life change. Folks who live far away from their families might feel stressed about holiday travel, or feel mixed emotions if they choose not to, while those who live close might feel pressured to participate in activities they’d rather avoid.

Whatever the holidays bring up for you, it’s important to find the space to prioritize your own wellbeing, wherever you find yourself. Here are some of our favorite tips for checking in with ourselves and staying grounded and steady during this energetically active time.

Keep your regular routine.

Indulging in tasty food and drink is one of the great pleasures of the holiday season. Overindulging, however, can leave us feeling sluggish, disconnected, and “off,” which isn’t the best state for dealing with external stressors. To set ourselves up for less stress overall, we advocate taking a moderate approach. Instead of going all or nothing, enjoy the treats you love within reason, and continue to maintain your healthy habits, whether that’s getting regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, sticking to a steady work schedule, or all of the above. 

Enjoy holiday food, but not too much.

On that same tip, try to be aware of how your body reacts to the “extras,” whether it’s sugar, dairy, fatty meats, and/or alcohol. Overloading your body with food and drink that are difficult to digest and process might feel good in the short-term, but tend to worsen feelings of sadness and depression later on. If you know you’re heading out to a gathering where food will be involved, eat a healthy snack beforehand, ideally something with a balance of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Even a pre-party smoothie in your nutribullet can prevent you from overindulging when you’re out and about. Try a nutritious smoothie made with unsweetened almond milk, frozen banana, spinach, a handful of frozen berries and a heaping tablespoon of your favorite nut butter or any of these recipes.

The internet can wait.

FOMO is real, and if you’re not in your ideal situation this holiday season, viewing other people’s experiences online can be a lot to take in. Give yourself a break from social media and take some time to focus on the people and events around you. And if you happen to be spending the holidays far from your loved ones, a phone call or a FaceTime can make all the difference. 

Be good to others.

Since it’s the season of giving, consider volunteering in a soup kitchen or somewhere with children or the elderly. If you’re feeling lonely, this gives you the chance to meet and talk to new people. They’ll appreciate your help and you’ll feel good knowing that you did some good. It also doesn’t hurt to donate canned foods, toys or clothing, which can bring some joy to someone less fortunate.

Be good to yourself.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at any point, remember you can always take a moment to yourself. Whether it’s a 5-minute meditation, an hour-long nature walk, or a visit to the spa, it’s important to make space to enjoy activities that reconnect you to your own rhythm. This is your holiday too, after all, and it’s much harder to show warmth and care for your loved ones when your tank is empty.

So if the holidays are starting to feel like a lot, take a deep breath, tune in, and know that you have the agency to make choices that keep you feeling good. By maintaining healthy habits, being of service to others, and giving yourself permission to enjoy some quality “me-time”, you’ll put yourself in a good position to handle those stressful moments with ease and grace, freeing up your capacity to experience the joy and connection that makes this time of year so special.