5 Tips to Combat Stress this Holiday Season

2022-12-01T15:33:37-05:00

While holidays are filled with celebration and gratitude, it can also be a stressful time of year. As a clinical psychologist, I have a few tips to help you make the most of your holidays:

1. Stick to your exercise regimen. A packed holiday schedule can make sticking to any routine difficult, but exercise has been proven to relieve stress. Even just 20 minutes a day can better prepare you to deal with that busy schedule.

2. Create rules of engagement for controversial topics. Your family members may have very different perspectives and opinions. To avoid creating a stressful environment, decide in advance what you are comfortable discussing and consider setting boundaries around conversation topics. It’s ok to redirect the conversation to something pleasant.

3. Give yourself time to reflect or grieve. Holidays can change for us over time. The season may bring up tough memories or cause you to miss a person or tradition. Allow yourself time to reflect or grieve if you need it. This can be especially important for those who have experienced loss and for families who are separated by deployments or just distance.

4. It’s okay to decline invitations. It can be difficult to say “no” but avoid overcommitting to holiday activities. Don’t be afraid to decline an invitation if you do not have time in your schedule or if you just need a break

5. Real life is not a holiday card. Holidays rarely look like the picture-perfect cards we send and it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of what you ‘should’ do for the holidays. Instead, set reasonable expectations for yourself and others, and remember what you value most about the holiday season – whether that’s celebrating your faith, spending time with loved ones, taking a break from work, or giving back to your community.

Of course, if you find yourself struggling this holiday season (or any season for that matter), remember that you are not alone. If you need additional support, here are a couple other resources below:

Tools for Stress and Worry Course - Cohen Veterans Network designed a free, self-paced course specifically for veteran and military families to help manage stress and worry. Through a series of brief and flexible modules, you can learn new tools and techniques to manage stress and worry. The course was developed by mental health experts with input from military family members themselves. https://rly.pt/CVNtools

Cohen Veterans Network provides confidential, high-quality mental health care to post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families. Access care in-person from one of 22 Cohen Clinic locations nationwide or via Telehealth. Get started today: https://rly.pt/CVNcare

988 - If you are experiencing a mental health emergency and are in immediate need of assistance, please reach out for support through a crisis phone or text line. Call the Military / Veteran Crisis Line by dialing 9-8-8 or text 838255.

Tools for Stress and Worry - Cohen Veterans Network

This free, self-paced course was specifically created for military family members to help manage stress and worry through a series of brief and flexible educational modules. Brought to you by CVN and Blue Star Families, Tools for Managing Stress and Worry provides research-based strategies, tools and techniques to help manage stress and worry. The course […]

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Dec 1 at 2022 3:39 PM

2022-12-01T15:39:06-05:00

Thanks for sharing this during these stressful times with inflation and unrest!

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Dec 1 at 2022 3:53 PM

2022-12-01T15:53:59-05:00

My favorite one - "It’s okay to decline invitations." I know how easy it is to book up your entire holiday season with events and forget to take care of the things you need for yourself.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Dec 1 at 2022 4:30 PM

2022-12-01T16:30:24-05:00

Very well stated. As a physician of the soul, I also recommend connecting with the “reason for the season”. In my years of ministry and medicine, connecting with God is a strong need each of us have. While we in the Christian Church have not always done the best job balancing Law and Grace, but I commend those reading this to find a congregation that is welcoming, Biblical in preaching and teaching, and the availability to receive the Sacraments….we do have an initiation sequence that has been working for 2,000 years: First Baptism, which provides the grace to understand the Bible (age and reading/listening is age specific/appropriate….then Holy Communion, the promised true Body and Blood of Jesus in the form of bread and wine. Yes, it is a process….it doesn’t come by praying a certain prayer but rather by a period of formation. Remember, forgiveness is offered after you know who God is. This is just a teaser. Let me know if you would like to discuss.

A Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 1 at 2022 11:29 PM

2022-12-01T23:29:22-05:00

Please message me. I work with veterans with PTSD on my dime.

Response by CPT Jason W. made Dec 2 at 2022 2:24 PM

2022-12-02T14:24:02-05:00

I guess having a couple drinks (Jack and Coke) is not a reliable way of dealing with stress? It's ok as long as you don't drink alone right?? JK

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Dec 2 at 2022 7:27 PM

2022-12-02T19:27:14-05:00

Excellent post. Thank You for sharing this.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 14 at 2022 8:45 AM

2022-12-14T08:45:48-05:00

Sounds like the advice I give our clients.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Dec 14 at 2022 6:48 PM

2022-12-14T18:48:11-05:00

I'm already finding the exercise program difficult

Response by MAJ Brent Bono made Dec 20 at 2022 12:48 PM

2022-12-20T12:48:11-05:00

Merry Christmas & God Bless You!

Response by SSgt Ricardo Lugo made Dec 20 at 2022 7:54 PM

2022-12-20T19:54:05-05:00

It's an awesome sign to see military people and civilian, with a happy holiday spirit. Honoring the vision of are Father Founders, pursuit of happiness. God Bless America / The Home of the Brave.

Response by SP5 Kathleen Barton made Dec 20 at 2022 9:03 PM

2022-12-20T21:03:59-05:00

Greetings to you,
Thank you for such a caring, informative post. Holiday blessings to you and your family.
Kind regards,

Kathleen

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Dec 20 at 2022 11:07 PM

2022-12-20T23:07:40-05:00

FIVE Is Right..
1 Bottle of Crown Royal
And 4 Beers....