Between shopping for gifts and preparing family meals, the holidays can be a stressful time. If you tend to get overwhelmed during this season, there are many do-it-yourself strategies and mental health services you can rely on to ease the tension. To help you enjoy the festivities and alleviate the anxiety that they can bring, here are five stress management practices to adopt this holiday season.

How to Manage Stress This Holiday Season

1. Take a Walk

Even though it’s cold out, bundle up and take a walk through your neighborhood. Exercise—including light walking—prompts the body to release more endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that help relieve stress.  Walking also allows you to get out in nature, take a break from technology, and meditate through rhythmic breathing—all activities that can help reduce tension.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No”

When your schedule is getting crowded with holiday events and travel plans, it’s easy to feel exhausted and overworked—even if you are looking forward to these occasions. If seasonal commitments are complicating your mental health, put yourself first, and decline invitations politely.

3. Focus on Quality Time

For many people, the holidays are a time to maximize the moments spent with family. However, big meals, outings, shopping excursions, and fancy photographs may not be the most stress-free family activities to enjoy. Instead, consider spending quality time cozied up inside with some fresh-baked goods, classic movies, and cheerful music. This approach will allow you to relax, recharge, and reconnect with your loved ones.

4. Volunteer

Taking on more work during the holidays usually creates stress. Volunteering, however, is one type of “work” that can help soothe tension. As a volunteer, you’ll shift away from personal concerns and help those in need.  Although you will be enriching others’ lives, giving to others is shown to reduce symptoms of depression and psychological distress.

5. Talk With a Counselor

Whether the pressures of the season are increasing stress, contributing to depression, or challenging your addiction recovery, you can find support from a trusted counselor. Professional mental health services will help you express and analyze your emotions, as well as learn healthy techniques to cope with them.

If your holiday season doesn’t feel as merry as it should, turn to the mental health professionals at The LCADA Way. Serving the Lorain, OH, community for nearly four decades, this counseling resource offers many programs to assist individuals struggling with stress management, addiction, and other mental health challenges. These counselors adapt their approach for every person, making them a top resource for all types of clients—including adolescents and families. To learn more about their counseling services or rehab facility, visit this affordable and accessible provider online. For appointments, call (440) 989-4900.