Blake Medical Center

Don’t Let the Holidays Stress You Out!

Don’t Let the Holidays Stress You Out!

Even though it’s the “the most wonderful time of the year,” the holidays can be stressful. After all, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with get-togethers and parties, family visits, and shopping for gifts in crowded malls—on top of your normal daily activities.

What Is Stress?

In layman’s terms, stress is your body’s reaction to sudden changes. If you ask five different people for their definition of stress, you’re likely to get five different answers. Just as the National Institutes of Health describes, what is stressful for you may not be stressful for someone else.

The holiday season can be stressful due to demands and activities, as well as financial difficulties if you feel like you’re obligated to buy presents. Some people also experience holiday stress because they’re feeling lonely or have mixed emotions about the upcoming New Year. Many people even suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the holiday season. SAD is a mood disorder that is related to the shorter daylight hours during winter. It’s estimated to affect nearly half a million people between September and April.

Realistically Deal with Holiday Stress

Mental Health America advises that it is possible to cope with stress during the holidays. These 5 tips will help ensure that you don’t let the holidays stress you out:

1. Be realistic. No one is perfect, and neither are the holidays. If you realize this from the beginning and go with the flow, you’ll most likely save yourself from a lot of unnecessary stress.
2. Plan ahead. Mark your calendar for specific activities and write out your shopping lists before you head to the stores.
3. Have a budget and stick to it. Money can’t buy happiness. Buy only what you can afford—you’ll avoid buyer’s remorse come January when your credit card statements arrive in the mail.
4. Avoid excessive drinking. It might seem like a good idea at the time, but having “one too many” alcoholic beverages can amplify feelings of depression and stress thanks to the accompanying headaches, nausea and general regret for your actions.
5. Realize that it’s okay to say no. Your schedule may be overbooked during the holiday season, but there’s no need to attend every single event to which you receive an invitation. Learn to say no without feeling guilty.

Do you have questions about dealing with holiday stress or other issues? Call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-359-3552 for answers to health-related questions or to receive a physician referral. You can also visit the Blake Medical Center Health Library to learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Related Post:

Taking the Stress Out of the Holidays

Tags: Blake Medical Center, holiday stress, hospitals Bradenton, managing stress, stress