‘Tis the season to be jolly – however, it’s also the season where it could bring a lot of stress. The holiday season is one of the most exciting times of the year, especially for those who get into the spirit of Christmas early on. For women, it can be a challenging time since, apart from our hectic day-to-day schedules, meetings, and other responsibilities at home, women are expected to bring their A-game as they become in charge of the festivities. Not to mention, the long queues and the last-minute shopping madness can too be much to handle.

So, what can women do to maintain their mental health during this crazy time? Here are some tips to prevent holiday stress and anxiety.

Plan ahead

One of the best things to avoid getting into the last-minute shopping craziness is to plan ahead. If it’s possible, set aside time for each activity. Set specific days for cooking, baking, shopping, wrapping up presents, and even meeting up with friends and relatives. Always make a list of the things you need and ask for help with the preparation.

Stick to your budget

Before doing any shopping for the holidays, decide how much you are willing to spend and what you can only afford. The season is not about showering other people with expensive gifts, but no matter how cliché it is, it’s really the thought that counts. You can make it even more meaningful by donating to the less fortunate or even giving homemade gifts.

Continue healthy habits

The celebrations could trick us into thinking that we can do and eat just about anything to the point of abandoning healthy habits. Remember that overindulgence would only add to your stress as it could also produce some guilt feelings after. Don’t go overboard with sweets, dairy, and alcoholic drinks. Exercise and get plenty of rest. Meditate during your free time.

Say ‘no’ if you have to

The feeling of having to say ‘yes’ to every single invitation and activity is typically strong during this season. However, it’s also one of the most common reasons why people feel overwhelmed and, at the same time, feel some resentment toward other people. Learning to say no is essential, especially if your health is at risk. Your colleagues and friends will understand if you can’t be present all the time. Working long hours every single day is enough to wear you down, so set some boundaries if you have to.

Make some time for your needs

The holiday blues brought by the pressures surrounding women is a pretty common occurrence.To maintain your mental health, remember to make time to focus on yourself and your needs. Take a breather if you must. One good tip is to practice some mindful activities like being still for 15 to 20 minutes – wherein you spend 15 to 20 minutes alone, away from the usual distractions. This helps to clear your mind. Listen to good music or read a book. Do something you enjoy.

Written by Sheena Javier

Maintaining Mental Health During the Holiday Season (and a Pandemic). (n.d.). NAMI California. https://namica.org/blog/handling-stress-during-the-holiday-season/

‌Tips for coping with holiday stress. (2017). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544

Women wear many hats – career women, caregivers, mothers, wives, daughters, friends, etc. These roles are essential to our society; thus, women are expected to always do good work to perfection. Managing multiple functions may take a toll on women – not only in terms of the physical aspect but also in mental health. Most times, because of these unrealistic expectations, women lose sight of their needs. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. In fact, research shows that the prevalence of anxiety disorder for females is higher than for males.

Regarding mental health for women, it is important to point out that women have different issues than men. Research has also shown that women are much more prone to psychological problems due to differences in the brain structure. Not to mention the pressures that society is putting on their shoulders.

So, how can women take care of their mental health better? Here are four ways.

Do Something You Love

As women, basic needs come first, but it’s not so wrong to treat yourself from time to time. When we talk about self-care, it may mean different things. It can be anything – it can range from doing some chores you like, whether it’s cooking or washing your sheets, to taking some time doing fun activities like walking in the park or watching a film. It’s allowing yourself to just be you and giving yourself permission to focus on what your mind and body are telling you to do, which is to take a break.

Spend time with Friends

Friendship is one of the greatest gifts anyone could ever have. While your spouse or your family could give you a life of happiness, faithful friends provide a special kind of love and strength. Spending time with friends is important, especially when things become too overwhelming. Long-lasting friendships help build resiliency or the ability to cope with stress and other mental health challenges. One research has also shown that more than any different kind of relationship, friendship has the most significant impact on a person’s life expectancy.

Exercise

Physical activities like exercise not only make our physical bodies stronger and healthier, but it’s also a key to keeping our minds healthy. It can also be a good form of distraction and regulates breathing, as well as improve circulation, which helps calm the nerves and could promote healthy sleep patterns.

Live in the Moment

So much of the world has conditioned us to focus on the wrong things, and one of the ways to get out of this mindset is by practicing Mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of mind where an individual’s ability to be fully present at the moment is harnessed. Practicing this mindset allows a person to become completely live in the moment and not feel overwhelmed, which is something that women should really take time to equip themselves with.

 

Written by Sheena Javier

Ingalhalikar, M., Smith, A., Parker, D., Satterthwaite, T. D., Elliott, M. A., Ruparel, K., Hakonarson, H., Gur, R. E., Gur, R. C., & Verma, R. (2013). Sex differences in the structural connectome of the human brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(2), 823–828. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1316909110

‌Women and Anxiety | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (2019). Adaa.org. https://adaa.org/find-help-for/women/anxiety

‌5 Ways Women Can Improve Their Mental Health – Orlando Health – One of Central Florida’s Most Comprehensive Healthcare Networks. (n.d.). Www.orlandohealth.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.orlandohealth.com/content-hub/5-ways-women-can-improve-their-mental-health#:~:text=A%20healthy%20lifestyle%20will%20improve

‌Why women need to make mental health a priority. (2019, January 7). YourStory.com. https://yourstory.com/2019/01/women-need-make-mental-health-priority/amp

You’re a busy person who has many obligations and a great deal of stress, but you also sense the need for a change. You want to improve the way you look and feel, but you aren’t quite sure how to get started. In that case, read on for some tips about how to look and feel your very best, courtesy of Positivity+.

Make Healthier Choices

Begin by making healthier choices regarding eating and exercise. Cut out most of the junk food in your diet, and replace it with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Get yourself excited about cooking by researching easy recipes. Beware of impulse buying when you shop, but consider picking up some vitamins and supplements to give yourself a boost.

If you want to look and feel great, then start an exercise routine, and stick with it. You might begin with a few minutes of physical activity each day. Set up a designated exercise space at home, and consider investing in some exercise equipment. Then get into a routine, and build your exercise to include a blend of cardio and weight training several days per week.

Take Time for Yourself

Part of your new self-care effort should focus on taking time for yourself. Allow yourself to relax for a while each day. Curl up with a book, or watch a favorite television program. Start a new hobby, or chat with a friend. Make time for yourself a habit.

Switch Careers

If stress at work is getting you down, then perhaps it’s time to make a change for your mental health. Consider switching careers. You might have to return to school to build your skills, but these days, you can earn a master’s degree right online even as you work and manage your family obligations. An online MBA, for instance, will give you a boost in everything from marketing and human resource management to strategic planning and statistics to corporate finance and accounting. Just make sure you choose an accredited program that offers competitive tuition.

Work From Home

A career change may not be in the cards right now, but you could still cut stress by working from your home more often. You won’t have to worry about your commute time, so you can focus more of your attention on spending time with your family, setting up your exercise routine, and experimenting with healthy cooking. You might even get some extra sleep.

Get Relaxed at Home

Finally, make an effort to create a peaceful, healthy home environment that promotes relaxation. Declutter and organize your possessions to avoid feeling overwhelmed by your stuff. Get rid of what you don’t need, and set up organization systems in cabinets and closets for more efficient storage. You might even create a dedicated meditation space, complete with relaxing essential oils, where you can unwind from a hectic day. Consider adding air and water purifiers to your home, too.

Look and Feel Wonderful

You can look your best and feel wonderful. Get started by making healthier choices, taking time for yourself, considering switching careers, working from home, or making your house more relaxing.

Positivity+ seeks to provide extraordinary customer service using the following three components: affordability, leadership, and listening skills.

Written by Cheryl Conklin