Monday, December 4, 2023

Tips for a less stressed December

From yours truly.
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Healthline
 
 
Wellness Wire
 
 
In a Nutshell
Happy December, friends! Is "happy" the right word? I don't know. Between prepping for the holidays, tying up loose ends before the ball drops, and everything else I won't list here, this month is always really stressful for me.
With the help of my therapist and some lifestyle changes, I've finally found ways to reduce the chaos and avoid losing my mind. Below, I share how I do it, which I hope can help you, too.
Before we dive in, here are some stories to bookmark for later:
Got smelly farts? Here's why and what to do about it
Can ice cream really relieve a sore throat?
Surprising risks of working out after you drink alcohol
Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
 
 
  Written by Morgan Mandriota
December 4, 2023 • 4 min read
 
 
 
This one goes out to my fellow
what's got us buzzing
This one goes out to my fellow "bah humbugs"
😬 I'm chronically stressed, especially in December. To me, it's definitely *not* the most wonderful time of the year. (And no, I will not just "brighten up," so please stop asking.) I've always struggled to enjoy the holidays. I also put heavy pressure on myself to kick off midnight on Jan. 1 with all my ducks in a perfect row or else I'm convinced my new year will be doomed. (Why am I like this?)
💖️ How I keep my stress in check. So many things contribute to my stress every December –– family drama, frequent traveling, financial woes, you name it. But I'm happy to say I've finally got a decent hold on it. Here's what I do to protect my mind, body, spirit, and wallet:
  • I don't force myself to celebrate or be merry. I used to beat myself up for being a grinch. Not anymore! Now, I feel my feels and give myself grace. I'll also skip festivities to sit by the water, go for a walk, or cuddle my cat.
  • I set clear expectations around gifts. I tell my family I'm only buying presents for the kids to reduce financial stress. I also ask them not to buy me anything so I don't feel guilty about receiving without giving.
  • I plan my workload far in advance. Special shout-out to Kenny who received approximately 3,458,512 anxious Slack messages about my end of year work plans.
  • I set aside *a ton* of alone time. My social battery is low as it is. With constant events and travels, I make sure to buffer all plans with enough time to decompress, journal through the overwhelm, or take a break in another room while I'm out.
  • I lean on my support team. I'm endlessly grateful for my therapist (and extra therapy sessions). I also talk things out with my partner, friends, family, and other loved ones instead of pretending I can handle it all myself.
🎁 More tips for making this the Season of Self-Care. What works for me may not work for you, and that's OK! No matter what you're going through, these resources can help you get through December a little easier:
💌 Chime in: How do you reduce stress in December? Share your tips with us by emailing wellnesswire@healthline.com.
 
 
 
Great finds
Tis the (sleepy) season
 
 
 
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Thanks for reading! Kenny and Ginger will be stepping in for me over the next 2 weeks as I go on another vacation. (Yes, this is part of my end-of-year plan to de-stress.) I'll catch you all again soon. 👋
 
 
 
 
 
Until next time,
healthline
Take care of yourself, and we'll see
you again soon!
 
 
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