South San Francisco, CA November 20, 2023 by Dr. John Skerry, Physician in Chief, Kaiser SSF
The holidays are a busy time. They can demand extra attention for cooking, cleaning, party planning, hosting, and talking with family members we might not always agree with. It’s no wonder that stress during the holidays is common. These tips can help reduce holiday stress:
Share holiday tasks
Let everyone help with shopping, cooking, cleaning, and event planning. If you really dislike doing dishes, help with cooking instead. Sharing tasks lets everyone be part of making the holidays special.
Have realistic expectations
No holiday gathering is perfect. Don’t let something like forgetting to defrost the turkey ruin the day. Be flexible, and let it become another holiday memory. View these experiences as chances to practice being resilient.
Maintain your healthy habits
Staying healthy is your best defense against holiday stress. Try eating a healthy snack before a party. If you don’t show up hungry, you’ll be less likely to fill up on sweets.
Practice gratitude
Remember the ways – good and bad – that others show you they care. Choose to be positive.
Make time for joy
This could be baking, playing games, or volunteering in your community. Maybe take a plate of cookies to a neighbor. Do what feels right for you.
Take time to unwind
Try taking a few deep breaths or going for a walk. Maybe you need time to yourself after being with family. Even a little break can make a big difference to reduce stress.
Get professional help if you need it
The holidays can be a big event and stress leading up to them is common. Talking to a friend or family member may help. When necessary, seeing a counselor can help you change the way you handle stress.
On behalf of myself and our team at Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season,
Dr. John Skerry, Physician in Chief KPSSF
John E. Skerry, MD
Physician in Chief
Kaiser Permanente