Take time for you during the holidays
December 13, 2022
Many people call the holiday season the "most wonderful time of the year," but it can also be the most stressful time of the year. Between gift-buying, catching up with friends, traveling, missing loved ones and dealing with family conflicts, you may find the holidays are a hard time to relax.
Taking time to care for yourself throughout the holidays – even in small ways – can help improve your mental and physical health.
Next time you’re feeling stressed, try some of these tips:
- Let things slide. There's no reason to stress over things you can't control. Learn to take a deep breath and keep things in perspective. Concentrate on what's important and let go of the rest.
- Change your perspective. Focus on things that make you smile and try to find humor in all situations. Laughter is a great stress reliever and reminds you to not take things too seriously.
- Organize and plan. Take some time to prioritize your to-do list and come up with a plan for how you'll get things done.
- Eat and drink sensibly. Many people deal with stress by turning to food or alcohol, but this only adds to the problem. When you indulge, do so in moderation and for enjoyment rather than stress relief.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise is a great stress reliever and can leave you feeling relaxed and energized. Even if you're tired or overwhelmed, try to fit in some physical activity each day.
- Unplug from technology. Set scheduled times of the day – like family meals – as electronic-free times. You'll help your brain relax and develop a source of valuable social interaction for your family.
- Get enough sleep. It's easy to skimp on sleep when you have a lot to do. But too little sleep can leave you less prepared to deal with the demands being placed on you and increases stress.
- Find "me" time. Take a few minutes each day, no matter how busy you are, to relax and focus just on you. Take a walk, read a book or a call a friend – whatever makes you happy.
Don't put your health on the back burner
The stress of the holiday season often leads to a weakened immune system, resulting in unwanted illness. With time in short supply, getting the expert care and prescriptions you need shouldn't be a hassle. Should illness strike, schedule a virtual appointment with one of our Urgent Care providers and we'll get you jingle bell rockin' in no time.