• Create a budget and stick to it • Suggest a gift exchange • If traveling, book early and consider traveling during off-season peak hours • Get creative with gift-giving • Start traditions that are lower in cost, such as a drive to look at holiday lights Tips for coping with holiday stress In addition to holiday eating, stress may result in overindulging. While the holiday season may be a time of joy, it may also be hectic and stressful. To cope with this stress, prepare yourself in the following ways: 1. Create a game plan. Spend a little time up front getting organized. Make a list of what you need to buy. Try to shop ahead of time and if you will be cooking, plan your menu. 2. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no may leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you cannot participate in every project or activity. 3. Make time for your health. In the holiday rush, don’t let your well-being fall by the wayside. Try to stay on your normal sleep schedule and get regular exercise. If you can’t find a 30-minute chunk of time for exercise, break it up into three 10-minute sessions spread through the day. 4. Give yourself a break. Amid doing things for others, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. If you feel stress building up, get away for a few minutes. Find a quiet corner and do some deep breathing. Listen to calming music, or just sit. 5. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Focus on mindfulness 1. Accept imperfection. Before the holidays, acknowledge things may not go exactly as planned. It’s okay to not be perfect. 2. Where does this fit in the grand scheme of things? Don’t let the long grocery line spoil your afternoon. 3. Respond with kindness. You cannot change how others act, but you may change how you respond to situations. 4. See if you may extend an act of kindness to those you know are without family and friends during this time of year. If you have UHC medical benefits thru the Ohio Chamber’s Health Benefit Program, you have ac- cess to Calm Health for no additional cost. This platform focuses on sleep, relaxation and mindful- ness while improving overall mental health. Connect with your Health Engagement Nurse, Michele Adams to obtain more information on how to access this benefit at 614-632-4172 or michele. adams@uhc.com.
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