The holidays can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing time of year for many. There is typically more financial output than other times of the year. Family gatherings can bring stress from being around certain people. Some may feel sadness from missing those who are no longer with us. And there is even the internal conflict that many feel from eating more indulgent foods.

Whatever way you slice it or whatever challenges you face personally, keeping your health in check during the holidays will help you so much.

When your mental and physical health are good, it can make dealing with any challenge easier and more doable. It can also make you more resilient to stress, more in charge of your emotions and just happier overall. There are many things you can do to maintain your health on both a mental and physical level, so let’s talk about some of them.

First, boundaries become huge during the holidays. With various holiday gatherings to attend, obligations to spend more money than you should, or pressure to “get it all done,” setting boundaries can be a life saver.

Boundaries are also extremely important when you have a friend or family member who is toxic and always negatively impacts your energy.

It is OK to distance yourself from people who make this time of year less enjoyable. Remember, you cannot control other people and how they act, but adjusting your own expectations and responses can be extremely empowering.

Initially, setting firm boundaries can be difficult, but the more you do it, the more you will see how beneficial it really is. This does not have to be done in a rude way, but just know that any time you enforce your own boundaries, you are putting your mental health first, and that is something to be proud of.

Secondly, stay away from the mentality of good versus bad foods and that you need to somehow “do better” after a day of indulging. Life (and food) is meant to be enjoyed, and there are no “bad” foods; there are just foods with more nutritional value and foods with more pleasure value. Both are necessary for a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

The holidays come once a year, so having a few weeks of eating more indulgent foods than you normally do is not the end of the world, and you don’t have to “burn it off” after. Simply put, you can enjoy this time of year and keep your health in check. You don’t have to choose. Focus on balance. Don’t overindulge and make yourself feel sick. Move your body in ways that feel good. And be present in each moment.

Additionally, financial stress can take a big toll during the holiday season. This is completely understandable, but there are things you can do to offset the burden that comes with it, such as avoiding overspending or buying things out of feeling pressured.

Leaning into the experience of the holidays rather than buying material things or considering homemade rather than store-bought gifts can also help to reduce the monetary burden. Even though it may feel like it, the truth is that you do not have to “keep up” with anyone else. Make this time of year special in the ways that work for you and your family, and do what you can to enjoy it even if you have a tight budget.

Moreover, the negative impact that stress can have on your health is unmatched. So doing everything possible to reduce your holiday-time stress will both improve your health and make this time of year more enjoyable.

A few more key aspects of maintaining your health and reducing your stress during the holidays: keeping space in your busy schedule for exercise, practicing regular self-care, prioritizing sleep, practicing gratitude, setting a budget and, most importantly, giving yourself grace.

The last thing I want to mention is that if you are feeling sad, unhappy, anxious or depressed for an extended period of time (or if these feelings continue after the holidays), I strongly encourage you to reach out to a professional. Your mental health is worth it, and seeking help from a therapist can be one of the best decisions of your life.

“
Stay away from the mentality of good versus bad foods and that you need to somehow ‘do better’ after a day of indulging. … There are no ‘bad’ foods; there are just foods with more nutritional value and foods with more pleasure value.

”