Avoid the holiday blues with these stress-busting tips

Decorating trees, exchanging gifts, and spending time with loved ones.

There are so many reasons why ’tis the season to be jolly. But although the holiday season is a magical time, it can also bring unwanted stress.

Affinity Health gives tips on maintaining your mental well-being and keeping stress in check during this period.

Stress is your body’s way of responding to a challenge or threat.

Once you sense danger, your body’s defences kick into high gear, resulting in an automatic process call the ‘fight-or-flight’ mechanism.

Your nervous system releases a flood of stress hormones.

As a result, your heart beats faster, your muscles tighten, your blood pressure rises, your breath quickens and your senses become heightened.

“While stress is a natural part of life, chronic stress shouldn’t be. Chronic stress can suppress your immune system, upset your digestive and reproductive systems, increase the danger of heart attacks and stroke and speed up the ageing process,” said Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.

Even though you can’t eliminate stress from your life, you can avoid stress triggers and manage how much stress affects you.

December is often a difficult time of year. Whether it is depression, family drama, anxiety or stress, the holiday blues can be difficult to beat.

The good news is that there are ways to help make the holidays happier and less stressful.

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Take time for yourself
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can quickly become overwhelming, creating the perfect environment for anxiety to flourish.
While our minds are preoccupied with plans with friends and family, we often forget about ourselves.
Taking a moment to breathe and relax can help reduce stress.
Treat yourself to a massage, an hour at the salon, or even a few uninterrupted minutes to read a book or soak in a warm bath.

Keep it affordable
Many people find themselves financially stressed during the holidays as the cost of presents, decorations, food and parties mount.
While it is tempting to overspend this time of year, the last thing you want is to go into 2021 with debt and a bad credit record.
The key to limiting financial stress is ensuring you have a budget in place and sticking to it.

Have reasonable holiday expectations
When it comes to the holidays, expectations can be high. We want everything to be perfect.
In an ideal world, unfortunate events would have no place at the holiday dinner table, but life happens, and things do not always go as planned.
Keep in mind that life is unpredictable, no matter the time of year.

Avoid negative people
Let us be honest, certain people can be triggering and detrimental to our mental health.
The holidays can bring up our own feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress, so it may be a good idea to avoid those who are continually spreading negativity.
Instead, surround yourself with people who lift you and make you happy.

Be grateful for those around you
Sadly, holidays can be a painful reminder of those we love who are no longer with us.
Although others will not fill the void left by your loved ones’ absence, it is essential to remember that you have other people who love and care about you.
Be grateful for the friends and family who are able to share the holidays with you.

Spend time in nature
Studies show that being in nature is a great way to reduce tension, anxiety and stress. Try spending an hour or two a day outside.
Go for a walk, take the children for a family picnic, or plant a few bulbs in your garden.
It is not so much what you do, but more about getting some fresh air and feeling the warmth of the sun on your face.

Do not abandon healthy habits
Holidays are often an excuse to overindulge, but doing so may add to your stress and make you feel guilty.
While it is okay to often treat yourself, try and stick to healthy habits as best as you can.

These include:
• Getting at least eight hours of sleep at night.
• Including regular physical activity in your daily routine.
• Trying deep-breathing exercises, meditation and yoga.
• Limiting tobacco and alcohol use.
• Sticking to a healthy eating plan during the week and save weekends for treats.
Reach out

If you feel lonely or stressed, seek community, religious, or other social events or communities that can offer support and companionship.

Volunteering your time and ‘paying it forward’ also is a great way to lift your spirits and widen your friendships.

Consider volunteering at an animal shelter, visiting a retirement village or assisting at a soup kitchen for the homeless.

Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,  or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.