How to Manage Holiday (& COVID) Stress

It’s the holiday season! Christmas…Kwanzaa…Hanukkah…and then the New Year. Let’s wave good ol’ 2020 bye bye. The stress of Covid is enough in itself. Now we have to figure out how to manage the holiday stress? All while trying to stay healthy?

It seems like an uphill battle. Every night you lay down to sleep, you’re mentally going through a checklist of everything you need to get done for the holidays.  

This holiday. The holiday that looks so different. The holiday where you want to overcompensate for the things you are missing out on. The family gatherings, events, holiday/pajama parties with friends…anxiety slowly starts to overcome you.  

You have to try to stay healthy. The word TRY seems louder than ever these days. Trying to eat right, to workout. Trying to stay mentally sharp and positive. 

You can’t stop thinking about how in the world you’re going to survive the holidays — especially this year. This year is tough. There’s no doubt about it. But, let’s talk about 10 tips to surviving the holidays in a healthy way!  

1. Stick to your regular routine. Eat normally the day before and the day of the Holiday/Party. I used to do it too — starve all day until hours of indulgence. You want to focus on treating your body well. There are literally no health benefits of overeating. 
2. Mentally prepare your approach to eating. Fill up on vegetables first, then protein and lastly, carbohydrates. I won’t sit here and tell you NOT to try your favorite dish or dessert if it’s unhealthy. If you love something, get the recipe. This way you will be less likely to binge knowing you can make the dish any time you want. 
3. Bring your own healthy dish. This way if the food choices are an absolute disaster…guess what? You have one healthy option to fill up on first. 
4. Fuel Your Immune System. Vitamin D, C, and Zinc are staples in my daily intake. Oregano Oil is great to have as well especially when you start to feel a cold coming on or for daily use immune support.
5. Zoom with friends. Get some FaceTime in with friends or meet up at a park on a warmer winter day. Plan a drive through holiday lights destination together, but in separate cars. Connection with those we love boosts mental and physical health.
6. Don’t be alone, if you don’t want to. If you anticipate spending the holidays alone, try to volunteer somewhere or check local churches.
7. Stock Your Winter Gear. It’s going to be important to get outside throughout the winter. This will keep the Covid fatigue at bay, re-energize your body, and create some feelings of freedom during social distancing days.
8. Exercise. Wake up a little early and exercise. Even if it’s 30-45 minutes of walking or bodyweight exercises. Following dinner, go for a brisk walk to help digestion, then lay down and relax.
9. Plan out activities for the next few months. There are still options despite the need to social distance and be safe. Check out local light displays, go snow tubing or skiing, go ice skating, make your own fun with a snowball fight or weekly Zoom game nights. The world hasn’t stopped even though it feels like it at times. 
10. Count your blessings. Before you start your day, try writing down three things you are grateful for (it can even be your cat).  Practicing gratitude has many benefits!

I truly believe that if you focus on your mental and physical health, the stress of the holiday season will stay at bay. Twenty-twenty…the year to do whatever works for you and your family. Stay positive minded, full of gratitude, and try out these 10 tips. You will survive! And you’ll probably even thrive, despite the challenging times.

Feature photo via Adobe Stock @Krakenimages.com

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