The holiday season is usually associated with good cheer and delicious food. But for some of us, stress also plays a big role around this time of year. Family arguments, travel delays and the like can really put a damper on the holiday spirit.
Fear not: We’ve compiled some great tips to help you weather the storm of holiday stress. These tips can be applied all year-round; don’t just limit their use to the end of the year. Read on for the secrets to make the most of your vacation.
Hope for the best and plan for the worst. You’ll be joining millions of travelers as you navigate your way home for the holidays. As a result, delays should be expected. If you’re not flying direct to your destination, make sure you provide yourself with at least a 90-minute window for catching your connecting flight. Also, pack some healthy snacks like a whey protein powder that can help fill you up if food options are limited.
Avoid controversial topics in conversation. Politics, religion and other deep subjects should be avoided at all costs at the dinner table. The last thing you want is to have a delicious meal ruined by your family or friends having a yelling match at the table. Stick to light-hearted topics if possible. If one of the topics listed above is brought up, try to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Don’t commit to every invitation. Whether you’re staying home for the holidays or venturing out to visit family, chances are you’re going to be overwhelmed with invitations to holiday parties, happy hours and many other events. Don’t feel the need to say yes to everyone. RSVPing to every event will just cause a lot of stress; see the people you can and make plans to see the others sometime in the coming year.
Hit the gym. Not only is the gym a great stress reliever, but it’s also a great way to burn off all the extra calories you’ll be consuming. Although it’s the holidays, make sure you stay committed to your fitness plan so that diet damage is minimal. This means you should continue to work out at least three times a week, take your MenScience supplements and eat healthy whenever possible.
Carve out some “me” time. This goes hand in hand with Tip #3. No matter what your holiday schedule looks like, make some time for yourself. Take a nap, read a good book, sip some wine… just treat yourself to some good, old fashioned silence. That way, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle just about any stressful situation.
