Managing the stress of the holiday season

For some of us, not all is merry this time of year.

During a season when people expect to feel the opposite, the holidays can be an unanticipated source of stress leading to unhappiness.

There are a lot of extra demands related to the holidays. The whirlwind of gift-giving and holiday planning, the increased social expectations, and external pressures from social media and marketing, can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

Too many activities— even when they are fun— can make you feel frazzled.

Added to this mix is COVID-19, and concerns for your own and your loved ones’ health. Sadness and anxiety around changes to holiday plans due to the pandemic and family divisiveness around vaccination status can compound stress.

And too much stress has a negative impact on our health.

Physically, you could experience poor or interrupted sleep and increased or decreased appetite. Emotionally, you could experience depression, anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness, and increased anger, frustration, and hostility. Some may experience social withdrawal and isolation.

But there are steps you can take to minimize holiday stress and put the joy back in the season.

Maintain healthy habits. While there’s room for special treats, continue to nourish your body with nutritious food and adequate sleep. Keep up with regular exercise.

Budget. Look at your finances in advance to rein in your holiday spending. Try alternatives such as homemade gifts, gift exchanges, or repurposing decorations you already own.

Practice self-care. Take time to prioritize your mental health. Feel refreshed and refocused by doing something mindful such as painting, taking a walk, or breathing through an entire holiday tune.

Connect with others. For some, the holidays can be an especially lonely time. Religious or social events can help reduce feelings of isolation. Reconnecting with family and friends or volunteering your time can also be rewarding.

Recognize your priorities. Saying “yes” to every- thing can lead to taking on too much and feeling burned out or resentful. Take on tasks and activities that are realistic given the time, money, and mental energy available. Planning ahead and finding ways to simplify things can help.

Show compassion: Know that others may also be experiencing holiday stress. Being understanding even when others don’t live up to your expectations can reduce friction. Seek help. Experiencing a range of emotions during the holidays is normal. But if feelings of sadness and anxiety persist, consider talking to your family doctor or a mental health practitioner.

Recognizing potential stressors and making timely adjustments can help you truly enjoy the moment.

Taking care of yourself can be one of the most important things you do this holiday season.

ↆ This article is brought to you by Woolwich Counselling Centre. This nonprofit counselling agency creates awareness and provides education to promote emotional and mental wellness for individuals, families, businesses, and others in Woolwich and Wellesley. Check out their upcoming small group therapy sessions and workshops at www. woolwichcounselling.org.

ACROSS

1. Curve

4. The sound of a sneeze

10. Struck hard

51. "Let it stand"

53. One who complies

55. "The Joy Luck Club" author

56. Greasiest

57. Part of a soccer net 58. Barely beat 59. Baker's dozen? 60. hello 61. Automatic 63. Ancient greetings

64. "If the ___ is concealed, it succeeds": Ovid

13. Oolong, for one

14. Chip away at 16. Means itself

18. Tendency to extreme loquacity 21. Ace 26. Hawaiian dish 28. Dresden's river 29. Twosomes

Bird ___

___ time

Monopoly square

Software program, briefly

25.

DOWN

1. Bluish Eurasian butterfly

2. Bring up

3. Used for smoking

4. Cobblers' tools

5. In harmony with the Tao

6. Clown

7. Water-based scouts

8. "48___"

9. Relationship between a part and a whole

10. "My boy"

11. Mother

12. "Beetle Bailey" pooch

Restaurant activity