Wholeness Healing Center

10 TIPS to Reduce Holiday Stress

It is a well-known fact the holidays will produce their own jingle bell pressure and no one is immune. The holidays seem like the perfect time to remind ourselves of what is important. Remind yourself to live in the here and now. Don’t forget in all the hustle and bustle that Wholeness Healing EAP is here to help with your holiday stress or other workplace issues. We are also able to help with a variety of mental health concerns! Give us a call at 308-382-5297ext.110 or 855-384-2467 toll free.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), work site-based programs, are resources designed to benefit both employers and employees. EAPs help businesses and organizations address productivity issues by helping employees identify and resolve personal concerns that affect job performance. Through prevention, identification, and resolution of these issues, EAPs enhance employee and workplace effectiveness and are a vital tool for maintaining and improving worker health and productivity, retaining valued employees, and returning employees to work after illnesses or injuries.

1. GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER
Financial stress is the number one issue during the season. The pressure we put on ourselves to spend more than we have is enormous. Visit with your family about drawing names, making homemade gifts, performing chores or just being present as the gift of the season. Set a budget and stick to it.

2. Make Connections
Make a concerted effort to visit with your neighbors, the ones you see frequently but especially those you may only see in passing. Drop off a card, offer to help with tree trimming or putting up those dreaded outdoor lights. Make someone smile – your heart will smile too.

3. Set Personal Expectations
Set your intention and then work from that point forward. This will help you eliminate unnecessary stress and prevent you from exceeding your own personal expectations.

4. Plan and Prioritize
Recognize what is important to you and then put your action plan in place. Brush up those incredible organizational skills you have and then move forward. If things seem to be getting to be a bit much, take another look at your plan and cross off something that may be able to be put on hold or you can do without this year.

5. Set Boundaries
Practice setting clear boundaries with yourself and those around you during the Holiday season. Make sure that you keep healthy boundaries. It is easy to let this very important piece slip during this time of year. Just know that the more you practice all year long, the easier it will be at the very busy and hectic holiday season.

6. Don’t Argue
Holidays aren’t always a happy time. Practice patience and deep breathing techniques when getting together with family members who may bring up situations that could lead to an argument. Recognize there are two sides to every situation but the holiday season is not a time to settle long standing family issues.

7. Start New Traditions
Try something new. Research some holiday traditions – maybe something with your own heritage and then present it to your family. Try some different foods or plan some take out items that help eliminate extra time and expense for one or more people. Trying new things is fun and can energize your soul. Focus on fun!

8. Keep a Sense of Humor
Some claim it takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile! Look for the funny side of those potentially
stressful situations. You know what they say; laughter is the best medicine and good for those facial muscles too!

9. Self-Care
Set aside personal time for YOU. Find some healthy alternatives at those festive office parties, get the sleep you need and don’t forget to exercise even if that means parking farther away in the parking lot or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Do things you enjoy. Keep the YOU in JOYOUS!

10.
What have we forgotten that might apply to only you? Think about that for a minute then come up with a plan that best suits your lifestyle, perhaps using some of the tips above? Let this be the best holiday season ever for you and your family!

We wish all of you a peaceful and stress-free holiday season!

Works Cited
Hall, B. (2016, Nov). www.keysolutionseap.com/about/articles/tips-to-reduce-holiday. Retrieved September 11, 2017, from www.keysolutionseasp.com.