Holiday cheer can come with extra stress.
Holiday Stress Statistics
1. Increased Stress During the Holidays
• According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 38% of people report increased stress during the holidays, citing financial concerns, time management, and family dynamics as primary stressors.
• A survey by Healthline found that 62% of individuals consider the holidays somewhat or very stressful, with shopping and budgeting being leading contributors.
The holiday season is often associated with joy and celebration, and it can also cause heightened stress due to various factors such as financial pressures, time constraints, family dynamics, and emotional expectations.
So, how can you deal with the extra stress during the holidays? A dose of resiliency may be just what the doctor ordered.
Have you ever asked yourself, what allows certain people to rebound while others relapse, and what equips some people to snap back rather than snap? Resiliency! When put into action, this courageous word gives you the capacity to cope with difficulty, persevere through adversity, and recover quickly from challenges. So, what can you proactively do to build stronger resiliency muscles? Research shows that resilience may be the new superpower, so check out 8 things resilient people have in common, and consider what you can do to strengthen yours.
1. Self-aware
How can you improve your self-awareness skills?
Pause and breath
Be mindful and present in the moment
Connect to your thoughts/feelings/sensations
Be curious and spend time doing self-discovery
2. Self-regulate
How can you strengthen your self-regulation skills?
Practice the 5P Framework™ Before you react pause, process, plan, pivot, and proceed with greater intention
Know your triggers
Develop strategies to manage your stress
Be patient with yourself and others
3. Self-care
How can you practice greater self-care?
Make yourself a priority
Do activities that make you happy
Spend time with people you love
Move, fuel, rest and maintain your body
4. Emotional Expression
How can you improve your ability to express yourself?
Notice how your emotions show up physically
Identify and name your emotions
Don’t hold your emotions in
Process and express your feelings
5. Self-supportive
How can you practice being self-supportive?
Be aware of your inner critic
Practice positive self-talk
Reframe your thinking – i.e. When things don’t go right, it is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Learn to hold 2 truths – i.e. I am struggling. This is really hard on me right now. AND I am grateful for my support system, I know I am strong and will get through this.
6. Optimism
How can you become more optimistic?
Train your brain to notice the positives
Take time to be grateful
Trust that you can accomplish your goals
Envision a positive path forward
7. Support System
How can you build and leverage your support system?
Cultivate healthy relationships
Choose wisely who you want in your inner circle
Ask for help and know when to call in the Calvary
Don’t view needing support as a weakness, see it as a gift
8. Sense of Purpose
How can you find your sense of purpose?
Examine what gives your life meaning
Align your passion with your life’s purpose
Use your unique talents to make a difference in the world
Find comfort in knowing that you are part of something bigger than yourself
As you move through this amazing and sometimes messy experience called life, don’t underestimate yourself or the importance of resiliency.
“When life gets tough, flex your resiliency muscles by visioning a positive path forward, trusting yourself, and calling the Calvary if needed." – Terrie Reeves
Make RESILIENCY your new superpower!
Empower Health America wants to help. What is your organization doing to help employees manage through difficult times? Empower Health America launched a program in Nov. 2020 titled, Resiliency – Make it Your New Superpower. This training can be provided stand-alone or as part of a 6-Part Stress Management Program. Click here to learn more.
Learn how EHA empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to THRIVE.
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