5 tips for managing all your holiday stress
As we approach the dawn of a new year or navigate the holiday season, it’s common to feel more stressed than usual. According to wellness expert Dr Ann Kulze, many of us are already swamped with our regular responsibilities. However, during this time, we often face additional pressures such as hosting social gatherings, entertaining guests, and managing family visits. This can lead to a long list of tasks, including cleaning the house and yard, extra cooking, and the added stress of gift shopping for Christmas.
Fortunately, there are strategies to help alleviate this stress. We’ve consulted with wellness and organization experts to gather tips on how to stay composed and manage it all, even when it feels overwhelming.
1. Make a plan
Creating a plan for busier periods, whether for yourself or your family, can significantly reduce stress when those times arrive.
“I strongly believe in using planners to organize both work and personal commitments,” says Carolyn Kraut, the founder of Hands of Time Concierge. “Some families also find it helpful to have wall calendars in their kitchens to track family activities, keeping them distinct from work schedules.”
Thankfully, a wide range of planner options are available, including family-sized wall calendars, personal pocket agendas, desk planners, and more.
2. Move your body
When stress starts creeping in, one of the best remedies is to get your body moving.
“Exercise is incredibly effective in managing stress. It helps release endorphins, which can improve your mood. And it doesn’t have to be anything complex or strenuous. Even a simple walk can work wonders in clearing your mind,” advises wellness entrepreneur Shahada Karim, founder of Habibi Bath & Body and Habibi Sport.
And if you’re short on time to leave the house for a workout, finding a quiet spot at home for a brief yoga session is an excellent alternative.
“Yoga is a fantastic tool for stress resilience and reduction. It combines breathing, stretching, and holding movements, which have a calming effect on the body. Additionally, the aerobic aspect, especially moderate to vigorous practice, further contributes to stress relief,” explains Kulze.
3. Brew some tea
While you might be inclined to reach for cup after cup of coffee to keep you going through the busy season, try opting for some tea instead.
“I call them kind of superstar foods for stress protection,” Kulze says of stress-relieving teas. “Sipping on freshly brewed tea from camellia sinensis leaf — that’s green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea.”
4. Get a good night’s rest
At any time of the year, but especially during busier seasons, ensuring you get good, quality sleep is crucial.
“During the holidays, people often find themselves entertaining more and attending numerous parties, which can disrupt their sleep,” notes Kulze. “This disruption can significantly decrease your ability to handle stress and make you more susceptible to feeling stressed when you shouldn’t, especially if you’re sleep-deprived.”
From cozy pyjama sets to luxurious pillows and innovative sunrise alarm clocks, plenty of sleep products are available to enhance your bedtime routine. However, sometimes, the simplest solution is just setting a consistent bedtime and sticking to it to ensure you feel well-rested for the busy days ahead.
5. Try out some aromatherapy
If you only have a few moments to ease away stress, consider lighting an aromatherapy candle, applying some oil, or turning on a diffuser for soothing inhalations. While there’s a wide array of aromatherapy scents available, one consistently mentioned for stress and anxiety relief is lavender.
“Lavender-scented products have been a go-to recommendation for relaxation and stress relief for as long as I can recall,” remarks Kraut.
