Managing your stress

 
It is normal to feel overwhelmed during the holiday season.
The pressure of impending finals and family obligations can all too often be too much to handle.
Too much stress can make life a difficult.
When your stress level exceeds your ability to cope, you need to restore the balance by reducing the stressors.
Don’t let the holidays stress you out.
Take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the final exam period and the holiday season.
Identify your stress triggers, like bills or demanding family members, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown.
With a bit of preparation and some optimistic thinking, you can find peace and joy during these stressful times.
There may be pressure to be everything to everyone.
Remember that you’re only one person and can only accomplish one thing at a time. Sometimes self-care is the best thing you can do.
When studying begins to become too much to handle then go for a long walk, listen to music, read a new book or go help out in the kitchen.
By slowing down, you will actually have more energy to accomplish your goals.
Don’t forget to feed your soul.
Many charitable organizations are suffering and require a lot of volunteers and donations. Find a local charity like a soup kitchen or a shelter where you and your family can volunteer.
Also, joining in a giving tree or an adopt-a-family program, and helping those who are living in true poverty may help you put your own financial struggles in perspective.
No Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or other holiday celebration is perfect; view inevitable missteps as opportunities to demonstrate flexibility and strength.
A lopsided tree or a burned brisket won’t ruin your holiday.
Nothing and no one is ever perfect. Calm down-if nothing else, it will create a funny memory.
The flurry of holiday advertising can make you forget what the holiday season is really about.
When your holiday expense list is running longer than your monthly budget, scale back and remind yourself that what makes a great celebration is family, not store-bought presents, elaborate decorations, or gourmet food.
Also, remember what’s important.
Even though you’re supposed to relax during the holiday season, don’t forget to study.
When you return from holiday break you will be returning to the end of classes and entering finals week.
Don’t enter it unprepared.
Talk about your anxiety with your friends and family.
Getting things out in the open can help you navigate your feelings and work toward a solution for your stress.
If you continue to feel overwhelmed, consider seeing a professional such as a psychologist to help you manage your seasonal stress.