How To Cope With Stress Around The Holidays

While the holiday season is known for cheerful traditions and special memories, it is also associated with stress and anxiety. There is so much work to get done, people to see, and places to be. Many people dread this time of year because their personal experience does not match the excitement of the outside world. 

Our team here at South Coast Medical understands how important mental health is to your overall well-being. During the holidays, we treat many patients who undergo stress, anxiety, and depression. If you are having trouble with these feelings, feel free to come into our office to speak with our medical professionals. No appointment is needed. 

Utilize these tips to experience more joy during the holidays: 

Don’t Abandon Healthy Habits 

Gatherings with family and friends most often involve delicious desserts and fancy drinks. This makes it tempting to forget about all of the healthy habits you have been working on throughout the year. Enjoy yourself, but remember that overindulgence only adds to stress and guilt in the long run. 

Keep Up Your Fitness Routine 

To minimize worry and tension, Dr. Cheng recommends sticking to your normal fitness routine. “Stay regular on your physical fitness to take time for yourself.” Dedicating time to exercise will make you feel better physically and emotionally. Even scheduling a short workout will boost your energy levels and your mood. 

Plan Ahead

This busy time of year can make many people feel overwhelmed with a never-ending laundry list of things to get done. Stay on top of your to-do list by planning ahead of time. Set aside specific days for holiday shopping and activities. This will help prevent last-minute scrambling. 

Breathe 

One of Dr. Cheng’s main tips for handling holiday stress is just to breathe. “Start off by taking a deep breath and get air into your brain so you can relax your mind.” No matter how busy your day can feel, dedicating five minutes to deep breathing will calm down your nervous system and help you think more clearly. 

Seek Help If You Need It 

Sometimes, the stress and anxiety of the holidays can be too intense to handle alone. If you need extra help, do not hesitate to visit our office. Our team is here for you.

Our Urgent Care services are available every day, but some hours will be affected for the holidays. 

Holiday Hours:

December 14th: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Christmas Day: CLOSED

December 26th: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

New Year’s Eve: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.