It’s that wondrous time of year when the nights grow longer and the festivities give us an opportunity to spend more time with our loved ones. Yet depending on how well you manage stress, the added responsibilities and commitments may darken your holidays.
It is more important than ever to take extra care of ourselves during this season when we feel the crunch of trying to get it all done. From run of the mill stressors like navigating traffic and working longer hours to visiting relatives and decking the halls- the holidays arrive, adding an additional layer of stress to our already busy lives.
Simple pleasures start to feel like inconveniences; we begin to perceive our “me time” as an unnecessary distraction from trying to get everything on our list done. Studies have shown that women are more likely than men to report an increase of stress during the holiday season. But that doesn’t mean we all are not affected by the stress of the festivities, men and women alike can fall into bad habits this time of year.
Self-care is of the upmost importance. Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Small things like meditation, eating well, exercising and power naps can do wonders for your mind and morale. If you’re feeling short-tempered, take a moment to evaluate what you are or are not doing to take care of yourself.
Still no help? Check out our 10 Tips for Relieving Holiday Stress and get yourself back into the spirit of the holidays!