Author: Jojo Varona
The holiday season can be overwhelming to many people and can trigger many types of emotions. It can be especially daunting if you are on a job search.
Instead of being caught off guard by a bout of holiday blues, there are several proactive steps a person can take to help reduce uneasy thoughts and emotions.
Here are some helpful ways to manage the holiday blues:
Keep expectations realistic.
Do not feel pressured to do everything with everyone. If you feel overwhelmed by too many commitments, it is ok to say “no.”
Practice patience.
Step away from the stress source and wait until you can calm your emotions. Take deep breaths and don’t rush in getting things done.
Divide up tasks.
Enlist the help of your family and friends. You don’t have to do everything. This is a good time to delegate different tasks to people.
Be intentional about healthy nutrition.
This is the time of parties! Go easy on the rich, heavy foods and consuming too much alcohol. Be sure to drink plenty of water each day. And stock up on healthy snacks.
Monitor your amount of sleep.
If you find you are sleeping too much and dragging through the day, talk with your think doctor about ways to return to normal sleep patterns.
Get some form of exercise daily.
Easier said than done, right?! But even if you have limited mobility, you can safely find movement activities that will boost your physical and emotional health.
Stay in constant communication and contact with others.
Keep close loved ones in the loop about how you are really coping this time of year. If you feel lonely, plan something fun you can do with a friend or invite people over for a casual night to watch holiday movies or play games.
Maintain a regular routine.
Try to keep your normal schedule. Be aware how hectic weekends and late nights can disrupt everyone’s health.