Managing Holiday Stress

The holidays are a time of joy and celebration with friends and family, but it is also the time of year when stress, anxiety, and depression are at its highest. It is the time of year when not a day goes by without planning parties, trying to beat the crowds at the mall, or cooking enough food to feed an entire extended family. There are some stress management techniques, however, that will help you keep your sanity and maybe even enjoy the holidays a little more.

The most important part of stress management is also the easiest—breathing. It may be difficult to find the time to relax and take a needed break, but you will find the time will be better spent if you aren’t constantly in rush mode. Find a chance to sit down, even if it is for ten minutes, and practice heavy breathing exercises if needed. Sometimes a little breather is all it takes to push through.

Family drama can be a major stressor and can take its toll on everyone. It is much easier to set aside your differences and problems for a couple of weeks than to have it escalate into something much bigger. Remember, a friend or family may be on edge because they are feeling the same anxiety or stress as you.

Money can also be a cause of stress or anxiety. The easiest way to avoid a financial crisis is to budget your gift and shopping spending correctly. While it may seem like common sense, gifts can start to add up if you are not keeping track. A good tip is to make a list of everyone you are buying for and to put a cap on how much you are willing to spend.

Don’t forget to exercise! We all tend to overeat and maybe drink a little bit too much during the holidays, and you may feel the urge to skip a few days at the gym, but research has shown that even just 20 minutes a day of exercise can reduce stress and depression.

The holidays are a great time of year to spend with friends and family, but all the planning and shopping can get a little chaotic and stressful. If you stick to healthy habits, though, you will be able to manage that stress and maybe even enjoy the holidays a little bit.

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400.