Tips for Recovering from Seasonal Stress
January 15, 2014
The holiday season is a couple of weeks behind us but many are still reeling from the stress that accompanies the end of the year. With so much traveling, socializing and resolution-making, it’s understandable that most of us feel feeling drained. We also can build things up so much in our minds that, when it’s all over, we feel a little let down.
If you’re feeling this way, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember it’s pretty normal to feel stressed and rundown after such a busy time. Here are five suggestions for getting yourself back on track.
Take a Personal Day
If you have vacation time left and you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a day off and spend that time taking care of yourself. Read, rest, see a movie, get a massage or do whatever helps make you feel more centered. If you don’t have any off-time banked, use one of your days off to just recharge. Even if you just block off 30 minutes before bed every night, you will reap the benefits.
Regain Control of Your Finances
One of the most stressful things about the month after the holiday season is experiencing a reality check when the credit card and bank statements come in the mail. The money has already been spent but you can still take steps to get your finances under control. Target the highest bill and focus on paying that one off first. Research lower interest cards and apply to transfer your balance. Reduce your spending by banning take-out and brewing your own coffee. With all of the identity theft that occurred last year, also take some time to scan over your credit report to make sure that everything is accurate.
Get Organized
During the holidays, everything sort of gets off track. People sit at their desks and don’t do much work. Good eating and exercise habits get all but forgotten. Mail piles up, cleaning takes a back seat and the fridge ends up empty since every possible morsel of food was consumed during the celebrations.
The best way to address the problem is to face it head-on. Make a list of everything that is out of sorts and develop a plan for restoring balance to your universe. Prioritize your to-do list and tackle it like you’re a linebacker on Super Bowl Sunday.
Reflect
Take some time to reflect on, not only everything that happened over the holidays, but also on all that transpired during 2013. If it helps, write it all down in a journey and look at all the high and low moments and digest any lessons learned. This will help you address any triggers that may be causing you to feel stressed or anxious.
