Home  »  Healthy Living   »   Top 6 Tips To Avoid Holiday Stress This Season!
Fact Checked

Top 6 Tips To Avoid Holiday Stress This Season!

By Health Web Magazine
Dec 21, 2022
Holiday Stress

Holiday Stress - (Image Credit: Shutterstock)

30-Second-Summary
  • While the holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, many individuals experience stress and anxiety during this period due to various reasons.
  • Some people may be overwhelmed by party planning, while others are afraid of socializing with large groups of people.
  • On the other hand, many people might be feeling lonely or isolated this holiday season or may even be grieving the loss of a loved one.
  • If you are under stress due to any of these reasons, the top tips to mitigate holiday anxiety may help you out.
  • Plan things in advance, set realistic goals, relax and practice mindfulness, and reach out for help to enjoy the festive season to the fullest.

table of contents

Introduction

The festive season is in full swing, with Christmas and New Year right around the corner. While this is a time of much joy and cheer for most individuals, it can also be a stressful time for many. The anxiety to plan the perfect parties, selecting the best gifts for all family members, or hosting guests over Christmas can be distressing.

Besides coping with the holiday rush, many individuals may also be struggling with loneliness or isolation during the holidays. Even worse, some may have lost their loved ones and may not wish to indulge in the festivities. With all of these reasons being possible causes for holiday stress in 2022, there are some effective tips you can try to combat it.

What Is Holiday Stress?

Holiday Stress refers to the overwhelming feeling that some people experience during the holiday season. It could be anxiety or feeling out of control while planning the festive parties. It could also be due to loneliness during the holiday season, while others seem to be having a memorable time with their loved ones.

According to studies[1], many people experience a rise in cortisol levels between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This rise in cortisol levels can lead to anxiety and reactionary behavior like overeating. Hence, those suffering from stress during the holidays may also experience holiday weight gain during this time of the year.

If you too struggle with stress during the holidays, then you can try some stress management techniques to enjoy healthy holidays this year.

What Are The Top Causes And Symptoms Of Holiday Stress?

Symptoms Of Holiday Stress

Some of the top causes of holiday stress 2022 could be the following:

  • Feeling Overwhelmed With Planning – One of the top causes of stress during the holidays is the amount of planning that needs to go into hosting holiday parties and get-togethers. It can make you feel overwhelmed and out of control, barring you from enjoying healthy holidays.
  • Loneliness – Another culprit behind holiday stress 2022 is the feeling of loneliness that many people go through. If you have lost a loved one this year or have to spend your holidays away from your friends and family, you may feel isolated and can be stressed out because of the same.
  • Anxiety About Socializing – While celebrating with friends and family sounds inviting, not everyone is a fan of socializing with large groups of people. Hence, some people may develop anxiety due to their upcoming social commitments. You can try holiday stress tips to cope with the same if you are not a fan of socializing.

These causes could lead to the following holiday stress symptoms:

  • Irritability – You may become snappy and irritable due to the stress of planning holiday get-togethers. Making sure that you are on top of every item on your to-do list can leave you short-tempered. Therefore, to have healthy holidays ahead, it is a good idea to plan well in advance and make a realistic to-do list.
  • Anxiety – Anxiety, and panic may strike you as the holidays approach. Be it the fear of socializing with numerous people or the anxiety of planning the perfect party. The emotions may leave you overwhelmed. As a result, you may experience sleeplessness, breathlessness, or bouts of numbness. Healthy holidays tips like meditation and mindfulness may help you out.
  • Aches And Pains – The anxiety and stress of the holidays can cause aches and pains. You may experience frequent headaches, back pain, and other types of body pain in the days leading up to the holidays. Try to destress and take some time out for relaxation to enjoy healthy holidays.

6 Ways To Manage Holiday Stress And Enjoy A Healthy Holiday Season

Planning your tasks

1. Plan In Advance

Planning your tasks well in advance can help you manage holiday stress 2022. Lists and reminders are going to be your best friends this season. Create a to-do list for each task you need to accomplish for the upcoming events. Note down the priority of each task, and complete the tasks that you can do a few days or weeks in advance. With a running list in front of you, it will be easy for you to delegate some tasks to your family members or friends, as well. Also, reminders will help you make all the necessary bookings, be it with the caterers or the decoration company, well in advance.

2. Continue Your Healthy Habits

We are all guilty of letting go of our fitness routine during the holidays. However, this is a rookie mistake that can damage both your physical and mental health. To have healthy holidays this year, make sure to keep up with your healthy habits even in December. Stick to a healthy diet as much as possible and reserve the cheat meals only for parties. Also, try to take out at least half an hour a day to exercise. It will do wonders for your mental health and help you enjoy the holidays to the fullest!

3. Be Realistic With Your Tasks

If you are a go-getter or a perfectionist, you may have made extensive plans for your holiday parties that can leave you drained. Now is the time to step back and assess your to-do list. If you feel like you have bitten off more than you can chew, amend your task list to make it more doable. Reevaluate the scale of the parties you are planning to host, the size of the menu, and even the number of gifts you plan to purchase. Make realistic changes to your plans that are achievable without causing you much holiday stress. After all, the scale of the celebrations would not matter much if you are already burnt out.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Studies suggest[2] practicing mindfulness to reduce stress during the holidays. Mindfulness refers to focusing on the present moment and emptying the brain of all worries about the past or future. When gearing up for the holidays, you may overthink things and worry too much about upcoming events. A few minutes of mindfulness every time you feel overwhelmed can help you out. There are many ways in which one can practice mindfulness. You can try breathing exercises or body scan meditation to help your brain relax and focus on the present.

5. Keep An Eye On Your Finances

Keep An Eye On Your Finances

Keeping an eye on your finances is one of the top holiday stress tips. From purchasing gifts to hosting parties, the expenses may pile up faster than you can imagine. It may lead to unpleasant shocks later or can keep you constantly worried about your budget. Therefore, you should create an approximate budget plan for the holiday season well in advance, leaving some room for unexpected expenses as well. This way, you will be covered on the monetary front and won’t have to worry about your budget constantly.

6. Reach Out For Help

To enjoy healthy holidays this year, you will need to focus on your mental and physical well-being. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you are feeling overwhelmed. You can ask your loved ones to help you with pending tasks and party planning. And even if you need to just let out your emotions, try to talk to someone who will lend an empathetic ear. If you feel that your stress and anxiety are becoming too much to handle on your own, you can also reach out to a therapist for professional help.

Conclusion

Holiday stress 2022 is upon us, and many of us might be feeling overwhelmed due to the festive hustle and bustle. You may be anxious and stressed out, due to the added planning and tasks the festive season demands. You may also be in a sad place out of loneliness if you have recently lost loved ones or have to spend the holidays alone.

So, if you are struggling with anxiety, headaches, irritability, or sadness due to the ongoing festivities, you can try holiday stress tips like practicing mindfulness and following a fitness routine to alleviate your symptoms. Plan things in advance, reach out to help when needed, and set realistic goals for yourself when it comes to hosting or attending parties.

Remember, to enjoy healthy holidays this year, you need to prioritize your mental health first. So, try these tips to soothe your mind to have a calm and cheerful festive season.

Related Posts

Christmas Health Challenge
Healthy Living

6 Ways To Shake Up Your Pre-Christmas Health Challenge

Introduction Are you looking for a way to stay healthy throughout the h Read More

Eczema and Psoriasis
Healthy Living

Eczema and Psoriasis: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment

The term "eczema" refers to a range of ailments that make the skin itch, in Read More

Fasted Cardio
Healthy Living

What Experts Have To Say About The Benefits Of Fasted Cardio!

Introduction You've probably heard of fasted cardio if you've done mu Read More

View More

Get Your Weekly Dose Of Health & Wellness

Delivered stright to your inbox! Subscribe to out newsletter to get the latest in healthy living, nutrition & fitness, mental wellbeing, beauty & skincare and more!

Categories*

Your Privacy is important to us

Advertising Disclosure

FTC Disclosure

As the owner/sponsor of this e-commerce website, we have the full intention to be compliant with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules about the use of testimonials, endorsements, and overall content in advertising and marketing. Accordingly, we want you as a visitor to understand the instances where we get paid to promote and sell products on this site. In full compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume that any and all links on the website and/or table are sales links, and we receive compensation if you make a purchase through our website.

Our Top Selections Box - Promotional Advertising Content

The table below identified "Our Top Products" does not include all companies or all available products in the market. The content appearing on this page is branded advertising marketing content where we have a financial interest as the owners of the first product listed in the "Our Top Products" table, and as promoters and/or affiliates of the other products also listed within it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own. All content is written without prejudice or bias, regardless of our advertorial product sponsor associations.

The content that appears on this page is presented as a nominative use product overview. Our subjective assessment of a product is based on the strength of the available information and our estimation of its efficacy. The provided information includes product information, overviews, buying guides, and product specifications. The information contained on this website is intended to educate and inform you of natural products designed to help improve your health and not to treat, cure, prevent or modify any disease. Trademarks, registered trademarks, and service-marks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners. If any content is factually inaccurate please contact us through this website and let us know so that we can address it appropriately. Contributing your product facts helps to better serve our readers and the accuracy of the content.

All Health Web Magazine content is thoroughly reviewed and/or fact-checked by a team of health industry experts to ensure accuracy.

In keeping with our strict quality guidelines, we only cite academic research institutions, established health journals, or peer-reviewed studies in our content. You will be able to find links to these sources by clicking the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) that appear throughout our content.

At no time do we advise any of our readers to use any of our content as a substitute for a one-on-one consultation with a doctor or healthcare professional.

We invite you to contact us regarding any inaccuracies, information that is out of date or any otherwise questionable content that you find on our sites via our feedback form.

All Health Web Magazine content is thoroughly reviewed and/or fact-checked by a team of health industry experts to ensure accuracy.

In keeping with our strict quality guidelines, we only cite academic research institutions, established health journals, or peer-reviewed studies in our content. You will be able to find links to these sources by clicking the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) that appear throughout our content.

At no time do we advise any of our readers to use any of our content as a substitute for a one-on-one consultation with a doctor or healthcare professional.

We invite you to contact us regarding any inaccuracies, information that is out of date or any otherwise questionable content that you find on our sites via our feedback form.
X

All Health Web Magazine content is thoroughly reviewed and/or fact-checked by a team of health industry experts to ensure accuracy.

In keeping with our strict quality guidelines, we only cite academic research institutions, established health journals, or peer-reviewed studies in our content. You will be able to find links to these sources by clicking the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) that appear throughout our content.

At no time do we advise any of our readers to use any of our content as a substitute for a one-on-one consultation with a doctor or healthcare professional.

We invite you to contact us regarding any inaccuracies, information that is out of date or any otherwise questionable content that you find on our sites via our feedback form.