How to keep stress at bay during the holidays

The festive season should be a time of relaxation, but family gatherings and the looming new year can be stressful. Here are six tips for handling stress this summer.

It’s interesting how, instead of joyous anticipation, the words “festive” and “summer holidays” can sometimes bring on feelings of sheer terror.

OK, we might be overplaying it there but the end of the year is well known for bringing on the three ‘s’ words — sunshine, silliness and, yes, stress!

There’s all that wondering how you’re actually going to clear your desk before the kids are on school break, when you’re actually going to get time for Christmas shopping, and how your exhausted self is going to make it through the endless rounds of festive catch-ups when normal bedtime is 9pm.

About a third of Aussies are also reported to be under chronic time stress.

So, we’ve rounded up six helpful tips to minimise stress levels so you’ll sail through this end-of-year busy period.

1. Set your expectations

By being intentional and planning ahead, you can create a picture of what you want your festive and holiday season to look like.

Who’s going to be at your Christmas lunch?

Are you going camping or sticking to day trips?

Kris Kringle, or no?

Paint the picture, share it with the family and stick to it.

2. Focus on what you can control

Sounds obvious we know, but you can automatically reduce the amount of stress in your life if you understand you can’t control everything.

Aunty Joan talking too much at Christmas dinner? Let it go.

Teenage attitude at the beach? Let it go.

Write down the things in your control and lose the rest.

3. Give social media a rest

But it’s the summer and so much to share!

That might be true but studies have shown that social media envy (you know, they’re skiing in Japan and you’re fighting traffic jams to get to the beach) can have a negative effect on mental health.

Focus on being present and feel your stress levels decline.

4. Make (and keep) a summer budget

Money worries are one of the main sources of stress in Australia and no more so than at Christmas.

There are lots of apps and website advice sites to help you manage your cash flow. Get on it.

5. Stay healthy, and that includes sleeping

Studies have shown that even partial sleep deprivation can cause irritability and stress.

So rather than attend three festive shindigs in a row, choose the ones that really matter and stock up on zzzz’s in-between.

Also, spend time outside in nature, eat a balanced diet and keep up your H20 intake.

6. Say hello to ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of as a rejuvenative tonic.

Try Go Healthy’s Go Ashwagandha 8000+ Stress & Energy 1-A-Day formula, with each capsule containing high strength Shoden® Withania (Ashwagandha) extract.

This formula also contains vitamin B5, which supports energy levels, energy production and assists the body to cope with environmental stress, and Siberian ginseng to support physical stamina.

Say hello to summer and sayonara stress!

* This post is brought to you by Go Healthy Go Ashwagandha. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Dietary supplements should not replace a balanced diet.