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Holiday Stress Relief Tips for Family Caregivers

The holiday season is upon us; for many, that means joy, celebrations, family and friends gatherings, and an excuse to indulge. Although the holiday season brings joy to so many people, it may also bring stress and stress-related symptoms. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (2023), nearly half of U.S. adults describe stress during the holiday season as moderate, while 43% said that stress during the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy the season. In this blog, we will discuss some stressors you may be feeling and how to mitigate or alleviate those stressful feelings for a more healthy, de-stressed holiday season.

Top Reasons for Stress During the Holiday Season (Harris Poll, November 2023)

According to a Harris Poll in November 2023, there are a number of factors that cause stress during the holiday season. Some of the top holiday stressors are listed below:

Financial concerns: spending too much or not having enough money to spend (58%)
Finding the right gifts (40%)
Missing family during the holiday season (38%)
Having too much to do (32%)
Feeling pressure to make the holidays special (30%)
Food or alcohol-related issues (25%)
Not being able to spend time with family or loved ones (25%)
Experiencing or anticipating family conflict (22%)
Feeling left out or excluded (20%)
Traveling (19%)

Stress Symptoms Experienced During the Holiday Season

You may experience one or more of the following stress symptoms during the holiday season:

Behavioral health symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, sadness, anger, depression, frustration, isolation
Physical symptoms may include headaches, muscle tension, body aches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, or changes in appetite
Emotional symptoms may include feeling worried, tense, or having difficulty concentrating.

Practical Ways to Reduce Stress During the Holiday Season

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some suggestions for decreasing stress during the holiday season include:

Allow yourself grace: It is okay not to be perfect or expect others to be perfect. No one is perfect.
Focus on what is truly important: If you find yourself getting frustrated, remind yourself what matters and look at the bigger picture. This frustration is a moment in time that will pass.
Treat others as you’d like to be treated: Although you may feel stress during the holidays, you can control how you react to that stress by your behavior and response to people. You never know what the other person is going through in life—take some deep breaths and refocus your response with kindness.
Realistic New Year’s Resolutions: Most New Year's resolutions set you up for failure. Start with small, manageable resolutions you can achieve; don't be drastic or extreme. Allow yourself time to make attainable changes.

The Mayo Clinic has additional holiday de-stressing tips and suggestions:

There are many other suggestions to help you manage holiday stress as a caregiver, including the following tips from Mayo Clinic:

Preplan to decrease stress during the holidays: Planning ahead for engagements, shopping, and meal preparation can help decrease your stress levels.
Don’t overextend yourself: it's okay to say no when you are unable to accommodate requests or additional commitments.
Spend within your budget: Stick to a budget during the holidays. Putting yourself into debt may increase your stress levels well beyond the holiday season.
Express your feelings: If you are feeling overwhelmed, share your feelings with friends or family members who can help understand that burden.
Stay healthy: Maintain healthy habits during the holiday season. Moderation is the key.
Take time to care for yourself: It is okay to take some time for yourself to recharge and re-energize. Be realistic about how much you can handle during the holidays to protect and boost your well-being.
Relationships: Stay in touch with friends who can continue to support you during the holiday season.

At Visory Health, we see you, and we hear you!

We understand the holiday season is a time for joy. Still, it is often a stressful time for many in our Visory Health Caregiver Community. Take time to prioritize your health, use positive coping mechanisms to help alleviate your stress, and continue taking your medications and saving money using the Visory Health Discount Prescription Card.

Stay Healthy, Stay Visory Health this Holiday Season!

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To Your Health,

Dr. Creamer

DNP, MSN, MSS, MA

","disclaimer":"

This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational or educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, diagnosis or treatment. If you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.

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