Black Friday is over, December begins and the echo of the Christmas festivities resonates, and with it comes the whirlwind of responsibilities, social gatherings and the whirlwind of shopping. Christmas is approaching, an exciting but often stressful time.

Why do we usually suffer from stress at Christmas?

The reasons are diverse and powerful: from overeating and changes in schedules to additional expenses and sleepless nights. This combination can become the catalyst for the well-known "Christmas stress."

Perfectionism, the desire to please everyone, and self-demand are traits that can predispose to stress at this time. Those who tend to satisfy the needs of others at the expense of their own are often more vulnerable to Christmas stress. Normally these types of people strive to maintain perfect control, forgetting to attend to their own needs and, although they do not express it, dissatisfaction grows inside them.

What factors trigger this Christmas stress?

Self-imposed tasks, fluctuations in routine, changes in schedules, and constant travel are often the culprits. The hustle and bustle and obligations that overwhelm us lead us to a state of constant alert, thus increasing stress.

The pressure of gifts, uncertainty in the kitchen, cleaning the house, and countless social gatherings can be overwhelming. These concerns, if not managed properly, can lead to emotional and physical fatigue. Furthermore, winter conditions, with fewer hours of natural light, affect mood and, in some cases, can be associated with depressive symptoms.

How to prevent Christmas stress?

Here we share 7 key tips:

1. Prioritize tasks : Evaluate your responsibilities and focus on those that are essential, avoiding unnecessary wear and tear.

2. Get Organized : Plan ahead so you don't leave everything to the last minute. Organization reduces anxiety and stress. Adopting healthy habits is very important to achieve positive stress, we will talk about this later, but with online courses you will achieve healthy habits and better organization.

3. Control your thoughts : Identify and change negative thoughts with more motivating ones. For example, instead of saying "I must do everything," focus on "I can do what I can and that will be enough."

4. Mindfulness of breathing : Mindful breathing can help control anxiety. Perform deep breathing exercises to regain control in times of stress. The guided meditations that you will find on our website will be very useful to you.

5. Shopping budget : Set a financial limit for Christmas expenses. The budget will help you avoid unpleasant financial surprises.

6. Positive Stress : Stimulates #PositiveStress or eustress, associated with rewarding emotions. Focus on enjoying the positive experiences that the holidays bring you.

7. Professional support : Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you feel the stress is overwhelming. Specialized therapy can provide valuable tools to manage stress and enjoy the season in a more balanced way. At Ana's therapeutic center you can find this much-needed help in many cases.

With these tips, we invite you to face the holidays calmly and enjoy the true Christmas spirit.

If you want more information or advice on how to manage Christmas stress, contact us here .

Christmas can be a magical, stress-free time! 🎄✨