Holiday Wellness: 7 Tips to Cope with Seasonal Stress and Anxiety
Holiday Wellness: 7 Tips to Cope with Seasonal Stress and Anxiety
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HOUSTON, TX. November 2024
It’s called the most wonderful time of the year. But for those with mental health issues and substance use disorders, the holidays can be a difficult time to manage.
Difficult, but not impossible. There are practical and mindful steps you can take to negotiate stress, anxiety and depression that can accompany the holidays. We know it can be overwhelming. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly half of U.S. adults would describe their stress levels during the holiday season (between November and January) as moderate, while two in five said stress increases at this point of the year.
Here are seven tips that we hope will help you not just get through the holiday season but fully enjoy it:
Don’t overschedule:
Between office parties, family gatherings, neighborhood socializing, and all the shopping, cooking, and traveling, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed during the holidays. This abundance of commitments can lead to stressful situations that may cloud your judgment.
Take charge:
Determine what you genuinely want to do, rather than what you feel obligated to do. Remember, you have a powerful tool in your coping arsenal: just say no.
This isn’t a Grinch decision—it’s a practical and reasonable choice given the many social demands of the season.
Know your limits:
With the holidays comes abundance. That means plenty of sweets and spirits. Approach this time with an attitude of mindful eating: Be responsible about food and alcohol consumption. Don’t deprive yourself entirely but think twice about that extra sugar cookie and glass of wine. At the same time, maintain your normal exercise schedule and be sure to get plenty of sleep.
Celebrate yourself:
The biggest give you can give this season may be to yourself. Put your mental health and physical wellbeing first during this hectic time. That means knowing your stressors and triggers; work around them or avoid them. Be kind to yourself by accepting your needs to deal with stress, agitation and temptation.
Practice tolerance:
We’re all thrown together at this time of year – one giant stocking full of different religious beliefs, political views, eating and drinking habits and holiday traditions. Try to minimize conflict and set your own boundaries to reduce negativity. And try to find common ground when you can.
Rethink resolutions:
The end of the year comes with pressure to rethink your behaviors in the new year. While it’s always a good thing to want to make positive wellbeing changes, doing so in the thick of the holidays might not be such a good idea. Be practical about resolutions. And take the advice of JFI’s Claudia Schwarz, chief clinical development officer: Don’t wait until Jan. 1 to start tackling your resolutions (see story in this month’s newsletter). You’ll have better results if you start this process early.
Gratitude is good:
This has been an incredibly emotionally taxing year. For many of us, getting through it wouldn’t be possible without the help of family, friends, and professional support. At a time when we’re considering what we’re thankful for, those special people in your life deserve recognition. Reach out to those whose support you’re grateful for – they’ll appreciate it, and it’s also good for you. Gratitude has been shown to improve mental health.
If you need help, ask:
Anxiety, depression and overall holiday blues may pay an unwelcome visit. If so, don’t be shy about leaning on your family and friends. In worse cases, consult your primary care provider, therapist or counselor. All are equipped with useful suggestions to help you cope with mental health challenges.
About J. Flowers Health Institute
J. Flowers Health Institute delivers unparalleled health care to executives, high-profile individuals, young adults, adolescents, and those with complex conditions. Our Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation Program uncovers the true source of any health issue and illuminates the most effective path to optimal wellness. The timeliness of our reports and diagnostic impressions allows the next appropriate level of care to begin promptly with a broad and deep understanding of the individual’s health and wellness.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts collaborates to deliver the future of whole-person health. We select the best providers and protocols from Western medicine, holistic health, integrative nutrition, sports medicine, and more that will help our clients reach optimal health. Our team’s coordination and collaboration offer each client a full continuum of care as appropriate for their unique circumstances.
Every client receives one-on-one support and personalized care. Our high-end medical facilities, access to the world’s largest medical campus, and private partnerships with exquisite hotels and spas ensure that we deliver an exceptional experience for every client. No detail is ever left to chance. Clients of J. Flowers Health Institute focus and heal in discreet comfort.
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