What’s the Best Way to Reduce Stress During the Holidays?
Between shopping lists, travel plans and family gatherings, the holidays can go from merry to hectic in no time. But while a little stress is normal this time of year, too much can take a toll on your health — both physically and mentally.
“The holidays can be joyful, but they also come with a lot of pressure — financial, emotional and social,” says Kimberly Sain, PhD, psychologist and training and education coordinator at Hartford HealthCare’s Anxiety Disorders Center, part of the Institute of Living. “Managing that stress in healthy ways helps you enjoy the season rather than just survive it.” Here are six simple ways to keep your holiday season bright and your stress levels in check.
1. Set realistic expectations: Holiday movies might promise perfection, but real life is messy, and that’s okay. Trying to make every moment magical often leads to disappointment and burnout.
Excerpted from Hartford Healthcare
