Reducing holiday stress

While the holiday season can be a time of celebration and joy, it can also include high stress and intense emotions. Our Employee Support partner, Headspace, has some helpful advice for managing the ups and downs and increasing your peace this holiday season.

Set priorities

Set reasonable goals, decide what is most important to you and your family, and focus your celebrations around those things. The holidays don’t have to be perfect for everyone – let go of that pressure and enjoy the season.

Don’t overschedule

Everyone needs downtime to enjoy this special time of the year. Choose activities based on what you want to do rather than what you think you need to do.

Make a plan

Use a calendar to manage important dates, activities, goals, or traditions that are important to you. Plan ahead as much as possible to reduce last-minute errands that can leave you exhausted and frazzled.

Make a budget and keep it

Decide what you can afford to spend this year, build your budget, and stick to it. Focus on items and experiences that are high in value, but low in cost like teaching a special family recipe, gifting a framed photo of a shared memory, or bringing back a favorite holiday activity from your childhood.

Care for yourself and your family

Prioritizing self-care can help reduce your overall stress level, so include rest, relaxation, and exercise in your holiday plans.

Dealing with grief during the holiday

Experiencing grief during the holidays can often evoke a wide range of emotions. Losing someone or something we love is extremely difficult, sometimes altering our lives in numerous ways. Processing grief can help us find solace and meaning. Share with those you trust, use healthy coping mechanisms, and allow yourself to feel everything you need to.

In a recent workshop, Navigating Grief: Moving Forward with Grace and Gratitude, Headspace experts explored the journey of navigating grief while providing actionable tools to foster grace and resilience, and even discover gratitude, during life’s toughest moments. The accompanying grief workbook also offers some helpful guidance.

For more resources on managing your holiday season, visit Headspace online or through the mobile app, and search “Holiday.”