It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Holiday time is fast approaching. Families are already making travel arrangements and preparing the menus for the upcoming festivities. While we are entering the time of year that brings great joy, excitement, and many opportunities to see friends and family members, we must remember to take care of ourselves.
With the holiday season comes various feelings and emotions.
Some people are grieving the loss of loved ones. Others are grieving the loss of relationships gone bad. And still others are grieving the lack of people – a community of their own – to spend time with to share the holidays. They might find themselves spending the holidays alone.
Dealing with these various issues may cause stress.
Here are a few tips to manage your stress:
- Help others: take the focus off of yourself and volunteer to help others in need. Giving to others is a rewarding feeling and it can bring personal joy and satisfaction.
- Laugh often: Take in a comedy show, watch animals interact, or spend time with friends. Laughter does one good like medicine.
- Get ample sleep: Find ways to help you relax so that you can fall asleep easier and sleep longer. Taking a shower before going to bed, or listening to soothing sounds (like the ocean, or instrumental music), can help relax you.
- Watch what you eat: Food choices are important to help with mood. Do a little research to see what types of food can boost your mood, boost your energy, or help you think more clearly.
- Exercise: Stretching, HIIT (high intensity interval training) routines, or weight-lifting helps to release stress and help with relaxation.
While stress is common, how we manage it will determine how it will impact our ability to function during this busy season. Take steps now that will help you manage your stress well.
We hope you have a safe Thanksgiving full of peace, self-care, and less stress!
