Stress, particularly in the lead up to and during the festive season, can impact all of us – and sometimes it’s unavoidable. But luckily, with a few tips and tricks, it can be easy to manage.

To manage stress over this holiday period, follow some of our tips:

Eliminate the stressors
If you can identify the main source of your stress, it’s easy to find ways to manage, or better yet, eliminate them entirely. A common stressor for many people during this time is the financial cost. From buying gifts to preparing large, expensive feasts, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and lose track of your spending. Preparing a budget ahead of Christmas time will allow you to know how much you plan to spend and avoid the worry.

Practice mindfulness
Meditation has proven to be both a short and long-term way of managing stress. It also provides many other benefits such as improved focus, enhanced self-awareness, and positive emotions. Taking 5 to 10 minutes to breathe deeply and simply become aware of yourself and your surroundings can provide much needed relief from the stress of this festive period.

Ensure you exercise regularly
Exercising regularly is fundamental to every aspect of our wellbeing. Physical activity has shown to improve sleep and mood through the release of endorphins. This season, make sure you keep moving, even if it’s just a little bit.

Take time to relax
Relaxing with some light stretching, a massage, or a hot bath can reduce tension in the body and relieve the physical symptoms associated with stress.

Sleep well
Making the effort to sleep well will lead to significant improvement in the way you experience everyday life. But stress commonly disrupts sleep, and sleeplessness can often lead to more stress. To break this cycle, try putting down your phone at least 30 minutes before bed, and set a designated time to sleep and wake up. This will assist in resetting your circadian rhythms, allowing you to sleep better.

Nourish your body
We often tend to resort to sugary foods when we’re under stress, which can give us a short burst of energy. However, this isn’t sustainable and can cause blood sugar fluctuations resulting in rapid mood swings. Avoiding sugary foods and having a balanced diet can improve your mood in general and help reduce stress.

If you’re in need of inspiration, check out Lifestyle – Hopewood’s recipe for wellbeing for some delicious recipes and advice. You can get yourself a copy here.

Indulge in activities that you enjoy
Don’t forget to schedule some time for yourself. Whether it’s partaking in your favourite hobby, going for a walk in nature or simply putting your feet up, make sure you’re taking care of yourself during this busy time.