The holiday season is usually associated with good cheer and delicious food. But for some of us, stress also plays a big role at this time of year. Family squabbles, travel delays, and the like can really put a damper on your holiday spirit.
Fear not: we’ve put together some great tips to help you weather the storm of holiday stress. These tips can be applied year-round; don’t limit your use to the end of the year. Read on for tips on making the most of your vacation.
- Hope for the best and plan for the worst.
You’ll be joining millions of travelers heading home for the holidays. As a result, delays are to be expected. Unless you’re flying directly to your destination, make sure you have at least a 90-minute window to catch your connecting flight. Additionally, pack some healthy snacks like whey protein powder to help keep you full if food options are limited.
- Avoid controversial topics in conversation.
Politics, religion, and other deep topics should be avoided at the dinner table at all costs. The last thing you want is a delicious meal ruined by your family or friends having a screaming match at the table. Stick to lighthearted topics if possible. If any of the topics listed above come up, try to steer the conversation in a different direction.
- Don’t say yes to every invitation.
If you’re staying home for the holidays or visiting family, you’ll likely be overwhelmed with invitations to holiday parties, happy hours, and many other events. Don’t feel the need to say yes to everything. Saying yes to every event will just cause a lot of stress. See the people you can and plan to see the rest next year.
- Go to the gym.
Not only does the gym relieve stress, it’s also a great way to burn off all those extra calories you’ll be consuming. Despite the holidays, make sure you stick to your fitness plan to keep the damage from your diet to a minimum. This means that you should continue to exercise at least three times a week and eat healthy whenever possible.
- Take some time for yourself.
This goes hand in hand with tip #3. Whatever your vacation schedule, make time for yourself. Take a nap, read a good book, drink some wine, and just indulge in some good old-fashioned quiet. This way, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle just about any stressful situation.
