THREE simple ways to protect against festive season stress

Stress, anxiety, and depression are common mental health challenges that peak over the festive season, explains ER24’s Trauma Support Co-Ordinator, who provides tips on how to cope.

ER24 TIPS TO ALLEVIATE STRESS THIS FESTIVE SEASON

According to very well mind, stress can be short-term or long-term. Both can lead to a variety of symptoms, but chronic stress can take a serious toll on the body over time and have long-lasting health effects.

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Here are ways to deal with stress this festive season:

Practise self-care

Personal time gets moved to the bottom of the list when you’re overstretched, and you end up neglecting yourself in the process. Set relaxation and exercise time aside every day. Even sitting quietly for a while, taking some deep breaths, and a brisk walk helps. You’ll feel more energised and able to deal with all the added activity and pressures.

ALSO READ: SEE provincial stats: Festive Season road fatalities decrease by 4.3 percent

Talk about your problems

When you speak about what’s going on in your head, it helps to keep things in perspective. Often, a problem can feel bigger than it is if you keep thinking about it. Take a step back and ask yourself: Will it still matter tomorrow, next week, in a year or in five years’ time? This helps you process the problem better. Worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet is characteristic of anxiety. Talk about it or write down your concerns. This will help you develop a healthier and more rational perspective on them.

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Set boundaries

It’s not unusual to be concerned about how others perceive you, but you may be damaging yourself in the process. You might feel pressure to show how well you’re doing by overextending yourself financially. Or you may be a people pleaser who tries too hard to keep others happy. Instead of putting yourself last, make a point of defining your expectations and explaining your limits. Tell friends and family that gifts will be simple and meaningful this year, or that it will be a smaller gathering than usual. Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you’re being selfish – it means you’ll have enough energy in your tank to enjoy the holiday.

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