The holiday season is officially upon us, and for many women, that means added stress. Between juggling work and family responsibilities, it can be hard to relax and enjoy the holidays. According to an American Psychological Association survey, “Juggling work and added family responsibilities, such as planning for holiday gatherings, shopping for gifts and cooking, leave most women feeling like they can’t take time to relax during the crunch to get everything done for the holidays.” This stress can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips on how to manage your stress during the holiday season.

1. Take time for yourself: It can be difficult to make time for yourself with the stress of holiday planning, but it’s essential that you do so. Whether it’s taking a few minutes in the morning to meditate or going on a solo hike in your local park, carving out some “me” time is key to reducing stress.

2. Reach out for help: You don’t have to do everything alone! Ask family and friends to lend a helping hand with holiday tasks like gift-wrapping, meal prep or decorating the house. Not only will this lighten your stress load, it’s also a great way to spend quality time with loved ones.

3. Stay away from stressors: It can be hard to avoid stress during the holidays, but there are certain stress triggers you should try to stay away from. These include things like holiday shopping stress and traveling stress. If possible, shop online or travel earlier in the season to reduce your stress levels.

4. Exercise regularly: Exercise has been proven to help reduce stress levels. Whether it’s a 30-minute power walk or joining a fitness class, make sure you’re getting regular physical activity during this time of year.

The holiday season is supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, but stress can quickly take over if we aren’t careful. By taking time for yourself, reaching out for help, staying away from stressors, and exercising regularly, you can keep stress levels in check and make the most out of this special time of year.

Happy holidays!