Fort Wellness Counseling

Fort Wellness Counseling White Horizontal Logo

How to Cope with Holiday Stress

By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP
how to cope with holiday stress

While the holidays are a time of celebration and festivity, they can also bring stress and overwhelm. And if all the socializing, gift-giving, and holiday partying is getting to you, you’re not alone. A 2023 poll revealed that two-thirds of respondents (67%) described their stress levels as moderate to extreme during the holiday season. So, how to cope with holiday stress? Today’s article offers seven stress management techniques for you to try this year:

Say No to Prevent Burnout

There are an abundance of obligations that arise during the holiday season. However, it’s okay to say no! Prioritize the activities that bring joy and allow you to emotionally recharge. Also, strive to simplify wherever you can. (While the thought of making your grandmother’s pie from scratch every year sounds nice, buying a frozen pie at the store is significantly less stressful.)

Take a Breather

Family gatherings have the potential to host dicey conversations. If you anticipate something turning for the worse, try not to let it escalate. It’s entirely okay to dismiss yourself from any conversation or situation that you no longer want to be in.

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation practices are valuable mental health tools. If you haven’t already incorporated them into your routine, the holidays are a great place to start. If you’re new to mindfulness, there are plenty of online resources available to help.

Personally? We recommend Headspace, Calm, or Smiling Mind.

Stay in Therapy

Don’t ditch your therapist during the holidays! (Especially if you’re wondering how to cope with holiday stress.) The holidays bring up all sorts of difficult emotions and situations. Therefore, keeping your scheduled therapy sessions provides a built-in time to explore anything that comes up.

Get Fresh Air and Sunlight

Especially with shorter days, getting outside and getting fresh air and sunlight is a game changer for mental health. Many people struggle with depression during the winter months, but walking outside in the sunlight can be a great tool for centering and calming oneself.

Acknowledge Grief

It’s hard not to think about lost loved ones during the holidays. However, instead of trying to avoid thinking about them, we encourage you to acknowledge and celebrate them. Get together with family and friends and share stories and fond memories, especially those that highlight important aspects of their lives.

Manage Financial Stress

Finances are one of the biggest motivators of holiday stress. Try to avoid overspending and instead focus on meaningful celebrations. Instead of buying incredibly expensive gifts, show your affection by being present and supportive. Also, consider giving handmade gifts or doing a Secret Santa exchange.

How to Cope with Holiday Stress

There’s no denying that the holidays can be stressful. If you were wondering how to cope with holiday stress, we hope today’s article offered some helpful tools and techniques. However, if you’d like professional help managing any emotions this holiday season has brought up, our Fort Wellness Counseling team is here for you. Contact us to get started.

Learn More About Individual Therapy
how to cope with holiday stress
Therapy

How to Cope with Holiday Stress

How to Cope with Holiday Stress By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Say No to Prevent Burnout There are an abundance of obligations that

functioning alcoholic
Therapy

What Is a Functioning Alcoholic?

What is a Functioning Alcoholic? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP When someone is deemed a ‘high-functioning alcoholic,’ they’re able to carry out daily

what is assertive communication?
Therapy

What Is Assertive Communication?

What is Assertive Communication? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP So, what is assertive communication? Well, in a nutshell, this communication style aims to

EMDR therapy Fort Worth, Texas
Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?

What is EMDR Therapy? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Ever heard of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy? More commonly known as EMDR,

Brainspotting therapy for trauma release
Therapy

What Is Brainspotting Therapy?

What is Brainspotting Therapy? By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Brainspotting therapy is a kind of alternative therapy that is gaining immense popularity in

a person practicing gratitude and enjoying the benefits of it.
Therapy

12 Benefits of Gratitude

12 Benefits of Gratitude By: Rane Wallace, LPC, LCDC, SAP With Thanksgiving coming to a close, we thought it was fitting to explore the link

a female suffering from seasonal depression.
Therapy

How to Avoid Seasonal Depression

How to Avoid Seasonal Depression By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Daylight savings has officially come and gone. For most of us, this means

Scrabble pieces that say inhale, exhale and repeat.
Therapy

10 Best Ways to Calm Yourself Down

10 Best Ways to Calm Yourself Down Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP When we’re navigating social media, complex relationships, and performance pressures, it’s easy

A female that is stressed out.
Therapy

The Effect of Stress on Your Body

The Effects of Stress on Your Body By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Are you feeling stressed out? Overwhelmed? Increasingly anxious? If so, you

A male that is experiencing a panic attack and severe anxiety.
Therapy

How to Stop a Panic Attack

How to Stop a Panic Attack: 9 Strategies By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP If you’ve experienced a panic attack, then you know how

A male that is addicted to porn and looking on his computer.
Therapy

8 Signs You Are Addicted to Porn

8 Signs You Are Addicted to Porn (And How It Ruins Relationships) By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP As a porn addiction therapist, I