Newsroom | Community Health

By Tom Allen, Executive Medical Director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

What’s the secret to getting through the holidays without becoming a frazzled mess? Be prepared. Be flexible. Be realistic. Try a new strategy to calm the chaos. Here are tips to help you enjoy the festivities without all the stress.

More than any other time of the year, the holidays place a load of demands on our time and energy — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning, entertaining and spending time with people you may only see once a year. 

When stress is at its highest, it's hard to rein it in. So this season, try to get ahead of it — especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

The American Heart Association suggests these basic tips for managing holiday stress:

• Stay active. Make time for walks, yoga classes, outdoor fun with your kids — whatever you enjoy that releases tension.
• Be brave, say no. You don’t have to go to every event and get-together. Skip some of the merrymaking when you need a break.
• Have a plan. Set goals for yourself that will help you stay mentally and physically healthy. Schedule some downtime or time to talk with a friend each day. Set limits on alcoholic drinks so you don’t overindulge at gatherings.
• Beware of party perils. Hit the salad bar before you hit the buffet. Eat at home before you go to parties. Enjoy salty treats and sweet indulgences in small quantities. Choose healthy options instead.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to take on the holidays by yourself. Reach out to your partner/spouse and ask them to help you cook, clean and buy gifts. If your anxiety becomes too much for you to deal with, consider talking with your doctor or a mental health professional.

^{The above material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment.} 

^{Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association}