3 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress

Winter holidays are a festive joyful time but also a time of experienced anxiety by many as well. While eliminating all seasonal stressors isn’t likely, there may be ways you can minimize and manage them. Here are three ideas to help you get through the holiday season with minimal stress:

1. Create a plan.
Have you been easily overwhelmed by the extra activities and responsibilities of the holiday season in the past? This year, think about setting up a more realistic plan for yourself.

You don’t have to create the perfect holiday for others or attend every party you’re invited to. Instead, consider setting boundaries and attending only the events that mean the most to you.

2. Set up a holiday budget.
Overspending is always a concern but even more so during the holidays. That’s why budgeting for gifts and holiday extras is a good idea.

It’s okay to put purchases on your credit card if you’ve saved up for them ahead of time. It can even be a great way to earn a sign-up bonus on a new card if you have very good credit. Pay your balance in full by the due date to avoid interest and fees.

Tempted to try the ubiquitous buy now, pay later loans for online purchases? Carefully review their interest rates and fees first.

3. Take time for self-care.
Sticking with healthy eating and self-care habits may also help you better deal with anxiety. Get plenty of rest (including naps) and take time to decompress when you need to — it can really help.

Finally, don’t expect conflicts or old patterns to be resolved over the holidays. This can be a stressful time for families, and thus likely not the ideal time to try to work out long-standing issues. It’s not a personal failure if you can’t “fix” your family. Focus on taking care of yourself. And if you feel like you might benefit from professional help, don’t be afraid to seek it out. Many insurance plans offer mental health benefits that can make this care more affordable.

If you need help choosing a health or life insurance plan, need to make changes for the new year, or have questions about your coverage, contact us anytime.