Hi everyone! If you don’t know me by now, my name is Bri, and I work in Wellness Operations here at Project Passport. This month’s blog will be a little different from what I have been writing, as I know the holidays are coming up, which means a hectic (but fun) time ahead for many. For some of us, we notice that the holidays can be very draining. Whether it’s prolonged socializing, hard-core budgeting, or experiencing the holiday season for the first time without a loved one, the holidays can bring stress and sadness along with the joy. Today I want to gear my content to align with stress and anxiety-relieving techniques we can practice during the holiday season to hopefully help this time of year be more fun than stress. 

An important thing to remember during this season of gifting and thanks is to continue prioritizing yourself. Don’t burn yourself out going to holiday parties every week if you don’t want to! Sometimes it’s okay to take a break from the festivities for self-care or even just to spend some time alone. Still, try to keep yourself in the forefront of your mind and remember to do check-ins - “How am I feeling?”, “Am I excited to be doing this or am I tired?” Keeping up and checking in with yourself is a great way to make sure that you are prioritizing your own mental health during a season that is hectic and stressful. 

Another great way to help keep the stress in check is sticking to your schedule. If you go on a walk every day after work, try to prioritize doing so and stick to your prior schedule as much as possible when things get busy. I find that this is a great way for me to find some normalcy in an otherwise busy time of the year. While things might look a little different, trying to keep those key parts of your day that you enjoy so much intact really helps you to continue relieving stress without getting caught in the whirlwind. 

Lastly, it’s great to seek support from those in your inner circle/those that you trust. If you are feeling stressed, sad, or anxious, tell someone you love about it. Holding those negative feelings and thoughts inside will inevitably lead to more stress and anxiety - the earlier we combat these negative thoughts and reach out to our support circle, the easier it will be to allow ourselves to feel those emotions while also focusing on the positives within our lives.

I know this time of year can be difficult, as this year is my first holiday season without a close loved one of mine. It has been easy for me to succumb to the dread and anxiety of this upcoming time of year, even as someone who has worked hard to combat stress and anxiety within their everyday life. However, remembering to prioritize myself and my schedule along with allowing myself to lean on my support group will be vital during this time of the year. I wish you all the best holiday season, and I will see you next time!