Mental Health

Support and Self-Care for a Less-Stressful Holiday

Here’s How to Beat 4 of the Top Holiday Stressors

The holiday season often brings a mix of emotions. It can be joyful and comforting — filled with beautiful lights and decorations, nostalgic traditions and precious time with loved ones. But it can also feel hectic, expensive and emotionally draining.

For many, this time of year is both heartwarming and hard.

Nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults (89%) say they experience stress during the holidays, according to the American Psychological Association. Some of the most common stressors? Money (58%), grief or loneliness (38%), and having too much to do (32%).

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or just not yourself, you’re not alone and you don’t have to simply push through it. With a little support and self-care, you can make this season feel more manageable and meaningful.

Here are four common holiday stressors and ways to care for your mind and body.

Manage Money Worries with a Holiday Budget

Buying gifts, hosting dinners and traveling to visit friends and relatives can get expensive. Lucet’s holiday budgeting guide shares practical tips to help, including:

  • Make a list of who you want to buy for and set a spending limit for each person.
  • Give from the heart: Handmade gifts, baked treats or shared experiences can mean more than store-bought items.
  • Limit your gift list to those closest to you. It’s OK to budget and prioritize your spending.
  • Plan ahead for next year by setting aside a little each month so you’re ready when the holidays roll around again.

Reduce Overwhelm by Setting Boundaries

Too many plans? Too much pressure? Use these strategies to take a step back and make the holidays meaningful in your own way.

Lucet’s Holiday Stress Toolkit and Amwell’s mental health tips offer great advice, including:

  • Make a schedule for shopping, cooking and other activities to avoid feeling overwhelmed by last-minute tasks.
  • Take breaks from social media scrolling to avoid the comparison trap.
  • Stick to a routine when you can, eating regular meals and getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
  • Say no to invitations and obligations that feel like too much. It’s OK to protect your peace, even if that means some holiday traditions look different.

Need someone to talk to? Amwell telehealth offers online therapy you can access without leaving your home.

Ease Loneliness by Creating Connections

Not everyone has family nearby or close relationships with relatives. If you’re feeling alone this holiday season, here are a few small steps to try:

  • Reach out: Write a letter or call someone you miss.
  • Start a new tradition of supporting others, like baking cookies for neighbors or volunteering at a local nonprofit.
  • Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself permission to feel your feelings.
  • Honor loved ones who have passed. The holidays can bring grief to the forefront, so look for meaningful ways to remember your loved ones, like lighting a candle in their honor or playing their favorite music.

Lucet and Amwell both offer support if you need someone to talk to.

Support Your Health with Food and Fitness

Colder weather and busy schedules can make it easy to skip workouts or overindulge in holiday treats. Small changes during this season can make a difference, including:

  • Take a walk after meals. If it’s too cold to get outside, get some movement in indoors — march in place while you watch a favorite holiday show.
  • Drink plenty of water and use moisturizer, to stay hydrated and protect your skin from dry indoor air.
  • Eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. They’ll keep your immune system humming and can even help improve your mood!
  • Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face. While you’re meeting and greeting more people over the holidays, it’s important to protect yourself from germs.

You deserve to enjoy a peaceful holiday.

“You are a better person when you’re taken care of. The holidays don’t have to be stressful, and we are able to redefine what makes them meaningful,” advises Michele Nordquest, Care Navigator for Lucet.

Whether you’re feeling stressed, sad or just need a break, help is here. Let’s make this a season of support, self-care and joy.

And remember, you don’t have to handle holiday stress alone. If you are experiencing more than you can manage, please reach out for help.

  • Call or text 988, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, for free, confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HELLO to 741741 to reach Mental Health America’s 24/7 Crisis Text Line.
  • Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Mental health resources page, which provides tools and support for members and for all Kansans.