Feelings about the holidays are unique to our individual experiences. They can cause feelings of happiness, unhappiness, or ambivalence. One thing is almost certain – the holidays can cause stress due to many factors, including overscheduling, overindulging, and overspending.
Lack of time management can lend stress. Spending too much or not enough time with family and handling expectations of what we should do versus what we want to do with our winter break time can create stress. Seasonal affective disorder or depression can add a different twist to our holidays, as well.
No matter how you feel about the holidays, the following tips can help you get the most out of them as possible.
- Reflect on what is important to you during the holidays. It’s hard to have a meaningful holiday if you don’t determine what will give it meaning ahead of time. This may change over time, but thinking about what you want for this holiday season will help you choose more intentionally about who you would like to spend time with and how.
- Make a plan as early as possible about what you will do during the holidays. Try to plan at least one activity that is important to you for each holiday that you celebrate. Feel free to initiate activities with family and friends. Consider volunteer activities. Making a plan well in advance can give you something to look forward to and help you feel a greater sense of control.
- Realize the holiday season is a marathon, not a sprint. In other words, pace yourself. While extra social gatherings can be exciting, you don’t want to compromise your physical or mental health by doing too much. Acknowledge that you cannot do everything for everyone. Practice saying “no” without guilt.
- Manage your spending. It’s easy to feel the pressure of consumerism during the holidays. Decrease financial stress by making and sticking to a budget. Thoughtfulness need not come with a hefty price tag. Gift solutions include reducing the number of gifts you give by initiating a gift exchange, giving to a favorite charity in family members’ names, and providing gift cards for small amounts. The receiver will enjoy thinking of you as they enjoy a cup of coffee or music download “on you.”
- Manage your expectations for family gatherings. When multiple generations and multiple families celebrate together, it can be challenging to feel heard and understood. Be clear about what you need the most and be flexible about the rest.
Above all, try maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays and into the New Year. Try to make good food choices, purposefully move as much as possible, and relax to restore your energy during the winter break. And once 2023 arrives, make it the best year yet by engaging with the Employee Wellness programs that will help you to take care of you! Keep an eye on future HR newsletters for more information on how to sign up for these early 2023 wellness programs:
Happy Holidays from the Benefits & Employee Wellness Team!
