The best way to stay safe this holiday season is to celebrate at home with people you live with and avoid crowds and indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air. Instead of making traveling plans, you can opt to have a virtual celebration with friends and family. This way, you will eliminate the stress associated with making travel plans and avoid traffic. How do you manage the other types of stress? We have a few tips:
- Prepare yourself mentally, lower your expectations and focus on what is most important to you this holiday season, be it your family or your health, and make an effort to slow down and be present.
- Make a plan on how to respond when you start feeling overwhelmed, prioritize your needs and don’t sweat the small stuff.
- Make sure you spend some time outdoors; fresh air and sun light are mood boosters. Plus being outside is a great way to spend active time with your family, walking, biking, hiking, and maybe even sledding…if we get any snow.
- Take screen, news breaks, and social media breaks.
- Practice gratitude – think of some of the things and people in your life you are thankful for and express your appreciation either directly or start a gratitude journal.
- Practice generosity – make a donation to a nonprofit if you can, donate a book to a Free Library, donate food items to a food pantry, give a compliment to someone, bake some cookie for a neighbor, send a card, or call someone you have seen lonely or down.
- A few more suggestions from the Mayo Clinic are available here.
And remember, this holiday season, take it easy, don’t forget to spend some time outdoors, wear a mask to protect your health, and make some time for play and fun. And if you decide to travel, please check the latest CDC guidance on how to stay safe.
Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!
Sources:
https://iuhealth.org/thrive/how-to-cope-with-holiday-and-covid-19-stress
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/6_simple_practices_to_handle_holiday_stress