The holidays can be an amazing time for people to get together and share meals, memories, and happiness.

But as good as it can be, it can be equally stressful for a variety of reasons.

Learn how to manage stress, raise your mood, and keep negatively low with tips that actually work, today!

How to Keep Stress Low During the Holidays

1. Set Boundaries

Life is about the balance we create.

This is done by setting boundaries.

Setting boundaries can help protect your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

This can help you avoid stress and reduce the impact of other’s negativity or outlook.

Determine your needs and what you consider to be your space.

Be firm, be assertive, say no when you need to.

Do not allow people to tread across lines you draw. You deserve to feel comfortable, happy, and safe.

By stating the importance of your boundaries and keeping them, you can prevent stressful situations from occurring.

2. Communicate Your Feelings

There are times where we think we are not being heard, but that may be because we are not speaking up.

Learn to take the guesswork out of interactions by practicing healthy communication.

Any type of relationship is about speaking and being heard, that is what it means to communicate.

Say your part, but listen with an open mind and open heart.

Focus on what the other person is saying without interruption and allow them to do the same.

You might be surprised to find the other side has valid points.

Find a middle ground when there is a need and always respect the other person.

3. Find Time for Yourself

Try to find time, even for a few moments, for yourself.

It doesn’t have to be events, meals, and outings 24/7.

Find time to de-stress through a variety of different activities and techniques. This is a great type of preventative care, where you allow yourself to rest, relax, and recharge.

Find time in your schedule, or even delegate tasks to others for a moment of self care.

It can help you build mental strength, improve emotional response, and increase happiness.

Incorporate a breathing technique, meditation, or mindful practice.

Check out the 5 easiest ways to reduce stress in your day-to-day life today, here.

4. Treat Yourself

You deserve good in your life, so create it with your hands.

Treat yourself to things that bring you joy and truly appreciate them. Indulge, be your own source of joy.

Feel the gratitude of eating your favorite dessert or watching your favorite movie.

Go on a walk, make a healthy snack, do some yoga for fun.

When we take things for granted, they stop bringing us joy.

So remember to treat yourself and give thanks.

5. Control How You Respond

Remember, we may not be able to control a situation but we can control how we respond to it.

With different techniques such as breathing and meditations, we can control our response to different situations.

Breathing reduces stress levels and meditation rewires the brain to better handle worrisome situations

Keep reading below to see what tips and tricks can help you control your emotional response.

Try Different Techniques to Cultivate Wellbeing during Stressful Times.

While stressful times may be prevalent, there are a few ways you can help with mood management, de-stressing, and finding the bright side.

Try these techniques to spark joy!

Breathing

Use different breathing techniques to cause a physical reaction in the body that calms the mind.

This will activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body that reduces stress, relaxes the body, and brings tranquility to the mind.

Check out different techniques here and here.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the state of being present in the moment.

Learn easy ways to practice mindfulness here.

Meditation

Meditation can lead to physical changes in the brain that reprogram you into a state of tranquility.

Find out the benefits and an easy meditation you can do anywhere today!

Exercise

Exercise lowers stress, reduces insomnia, and raises serotonin, the chemical responsible for mood management and joy.

No time for a workout? Think again! Click here to find a fast, effective, and amazing workout almost anyone can do!

The Takeaway

Learn how to utilize these tips to reduce stress not only during the holiday season but in any situation that may cause worry.

Set boundaries and communicate.

Practice different ways to stay content not only for the holidays but in your day-to-day life.

Health starts from within.

Mental wellbeing affects the physical part of our life.

Make habits out of good mental health techniques and watch how life brings you more joy!