5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress
Getting your holiday shopping done early can help reduce stress. (Altafulla/Shutterstock)
Barbara Danza
11/29/2017
Updated:
10/8/2018

The holidays are a time of celebration and family—a time to set work aside and focus on the most important things in life. There are many joys to behold: reconnecting with loved ones, devoting time to your spiritual beliefs, and taking in the simple pleasures of carols, treats, lights, and gatherings.

For many, however, idealistic expectations, the wish to please others, financial demands, and other pressures, both internal and external, can cause stress this time of year.

According to the American Psychological Association, 8 out of 10 people anticipate increased stress over the holidays.

To meet this challenge head on, here are five tips to reduce stress and enjoy this wonderful season more this year.

Adjust Your Focus

Author and life coach Tony Robbins recommends adjusting what you focus on. In an interview on the Today Show, he recommended focusing on gratitude, taking action, and giving.

Smile

Similarly, Dr. Lisa Paz told South Florida Today that maintaining perspective on what’s important is key. The therapist recommends simply smiling, citing research that shows it reduced anxiety, as well as “maintaining a sense of team with your husband or wife” as you navigate holiday gatherings.

Get Outside

Professor Judith Orloff, M.D. said to health.com that it’s important this time of year to increase your exposure to sunlight. “It stimulates the production of feel-good seratonin,” she explained, “and also helps seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”

Shop Early

Sarah Winfrey of wisebread.com reminds her readers to shop early. “Buying your holiday gifts late can be incredibly stressful,” she says. The lines are longer, there are more people to contend with, and popular gifts are harder to find.”

Stay on Track

The Mayo Clinic highlights the importance of maintaining your healthy habits. They suggest having “a healthy snack before parties,” “getting plenty of sleep,” and engaging in “regular physical activity.”

Happy Holidays!

Barbara Danza is a mom of two, an MBA, a beach lover, and a kid at heart. Here, diving into the challenges and opportunities of parenting in the modern age. Particularly interested in the many educational options available to families today, the renewed appreciation of simplicity in kids’ lives, the benefits of family travel, and the importance of family life in today’s society.
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