Top 5 Ways for Managing Holiday Stress and Anxiety – Muscle MX
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Top 5 Ways for Managing Holiday Stress and Anxiety
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Top 5 Ways for Managing Holiday Stress and Anxiety

The holidays are a time for joy and celebration, but this time of year can also be remarkably stressful. In fact, 38% of Americans say that their stress levels increase during the holiday season. Most people become busy with endless holiday responsibilities and it can all get overwhelming, leading to significant holiday stress and mental health concerns.

How can someone reduce their stress and boost their mental health during this time of year? What are some long-term strategies to feel better and what can someone do to calm their nerves in moments of stress? Below are some common reasons why the festive season can be overwhelming, along with five of the best holiday stress tips for coping with the holidays.

What Causes Stress During the Holidays?

Here are some of the most common sources of holiday stress and anxiety during the holidays:

Too Many Social Commitments

Most people look forward to reconnecting with loved ones during the holiday season. But too much togetherness can be stressful — especially if someone already has a pile of other commitments they must handle at the same time. This overload of social commitments can contribute to family stress and overall holiday season pressure.

With every family gathering, one has to consider gifts, travel, and how they will schedule their other holiday plans around it. Beyond that, some people also experience mental burnout after long periods of socializing. These factors combined can lead to high levels of anxiety when a person commits to too many holiday events.

High Expectations

Christmas is so stressful for some people because they put enormous amounts of pressure on themselves to get everything done — and do so perfectly. This pursuit of perfection can significantly impact one's mental wellness during the holidays.

Whether it's picking out the perfect gifts, choosing a stunning outfit, or keeping the house in pristine condition for a party, pressure can feel like it's coming from all angles during the holidays. Setting realistic expectations is crucial for maintaining good mental health during this time.

Financial Pressures

As most people know, financial strain can affect anyone during the holiday season — especially if they haven't planned a budget for their gift shopping. A survey from 2019 found that 60% of Americans consider holiday gift-buying to be the most financially stressful time of the year, even above tax season. This financial pressure can contribute to holiday anxiety symptoms and overall stress.

Missing Out on a Healthy Diet, Sleep, and Exercise

Jam-packed schedules during the holidays mean there isn't always time for a person to get adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition. For those who rely on their routine to support their physical health and mental health, missing out on these healthy habits can be detrimental. Maintaining balanced meals and regular exercise is an important aspect of self-care during holidays.

5 Tips for Managing Stress During the Holidays

Here are some of the best holiday coping skills for those who feel like Christmas is too stressful:

1. Stay Realistic and Embrace Imperfection

People commonly feel overwhelmed during the holiday season because they strive for perfection. They put superhuman pressure on themselves to attend every family gathering, buy the perfect gifts, and present themselves in an ideal way.

However, instead of putting so much pressure on oneself, it's best to embrace imperfection and remember that it's okay if everything doesn't go as planned. Most people are simply happy to spend quality time with their family members during the holiday season. They normally aren't worried about the insignificant details that people so often stress themselves out over. Setting realistic expectations is an effective way to begin reducing stress in your life.

2. Make Time to Laugh

Although holidays are a time for celebrating, never-ending to-do lists make it easy to miss out on humor. But it's important to make laughter a priority during the holidays, as science shows that it's beneficial for reducing stress.

Someone can promote laughter by watching comedy specials with family or playing funny card games as part of their holiday stress management. Stress is best reduced with positive emotions — and humor is one of the best ways to get there. This approach can be particularly helpful in dealing with holiday depression and sadness around the holidays.

3. Stick to Healthy Habits

A person's healthy habits can be what makes or breaks their mental well-being during the holiday season. If possible, one should always remember to exercise regularly, get a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables every day, and prioritize getting enough sleep. These habits contribute significantly to overall wellness during the holidays.

While these habits seem like no-brainers, the bustle of the holiday season can make it challenging to stick to a schedule. But prioritizing these small habits can make a world of difference in creating a calm, relaxed state of mind. Incorporating mindfulness and gratitude practices can also enhance mental health during this busy time.

4. Plan Ahead

Last-minute gift-buying, cleaning, or cooking can make holiday stress all the more intense. That's why a pro tip for holiday and Christmas gift stress relief is to plan ahead. Effective time management and budget planning are key components of this strategy.

For example, if one is hosting a Christmas party, they can ease stress by cleaning the house throughout the week, instead of doing it all the morning of the event. People can also alleviate holiday anxiety by getting the bulk of their shopping done during Black Friday, instead of waiting until Christmas week. Delegation and asking for help can also be valuable in managing the workload.

5. Try CBD Tinctures, Gummies, and Topicals

While mindset shifts and healthy habits make a difference in holiday stress, sometimes people need in-the-moment tools to help themselves calm down — and cannabidiol (CBD) is one of those tools.

CBD is a hemp-derived molecule that may produce a calming and soothing effect on mental well-being. To take CBD, one can use tinctures, gummies, or topical products. Whichever way a person chooses to use CBD, it's a worthwhile option for people looking to boost overall wellness and relieve stress during the holiday season.

Muscle MX offers high-quality CBD products to help relieve stress this holiday season. For those dealing with significant levels of tension and worry, Muscle MX also offers gummies and oil drops specifically formulated for relaxation.

The Bottom Line on Relieving Holiday Stress

Managing commitments, practicing healthy habits, and using CBD can make a real difference in handling stress during the holidays. Not only do these strategies help with Christmas stress, but they can also promote better mental health throughout the rest of the year. Effective communication, setting boundaries, and maintaining a work-life balance are also crucial for coping with holiday pressures.

For those looking to try CBD, Muscle MX offers high-quality, lab-tested products to help reduce stress and promote a calm sense of wellness this holiday season. Check out our CBD products.

 

Sources:

American Psychological Association. (2006, December 12). Holiday Stress

Louie, D., Brook, K., & Frates, E. (2016). The Laughter Prescription: A Tool for Lifestyle Medicine. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 10(4), 262–267. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827614550279

Marcus by Goldman Sachs. (2020, October 12). Understanding the Financial Stress of the Holiday Season. Retrieved from https://www.marcus.com/us/en/media/blogs/understanding-the-financial-stress-of-the-holiday-season

Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041

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