From yours truly.
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| | | | Happy December, friends! Is "happy" the right word? I don't know. Between prepping for the holidays, tying up loose ends before the ball drops, and everything else I won't list here, this month is always really stressful for me. | | With the help of my therapist and some lifestyle changes, I've finally found ways to reduce the chaos and avoid losing my mind. Below, I share how I do it, which I hope can help you, too. | | Before we dive in, here are some stories to bookmark for later: | | | | Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
December 4, 2023 • 4 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | This one goes out to my fellow "bah humbugs" | | 😬 I'm chronically stressed, especially in December. To me, it's definitely *not* the most wonderful time of the year. (And no, I will not just "brighten up," so please stop asking.) I've always struggled to enjoy the holidays. I also put heavy pressure on myself to kick off midnight on Jan. 1 with all my ducks in a perfect row or else I'm convinced my new year will be doomed. (Why am I like this?) | 💖️ How I keep my stress in check. So many things contribute to my stress every December –– family drama, frequent traveling, financial woes, you name it. But I'm happy to say I've finally got a decent hold on it. Here's what I do to protect my mind, body, spirit, and wallet: - I don't force myself to celebrate or be merry. I used to beat myself up for being a grinch. Not anymore! Now, I feel my feels and give myself grace. I'll also skip festivities to sit by the water, go for a walk, or cuddle my cat.
- I set clear expectations around gifts. I tell my family I'm only buying presents for the kids to reduce financial stress. I also ask them not to buy me anything so I don't feel guilty about receiving without giving.
- I plan my workload far in advance. Special shout-out to Kenny who received approximately 3,458,512 anxious Slack messages about my end of year work plans.
- I set aside *a ton* of alone time. My social battery is low as it is. With constant events and travels, I make sure to buffer all plans with enough time to decompress, journal through the overwhelm, or take a break in another room while I'm out.
- I lean on my support team. I'm endlessly grateful for my therapist (and extra therapy sessions). I also talk things out with my partner, friends, family, and other loved ones instead of pretending I can handle it all myself.
| | 🎁 More tips for making this the Season of Self-Care. What works for me may not work for you, and that's OK! No matter what you're going through, these resources can help you get through December a little easier: | | 💌 Chime in: How do you reduce stress in December? Share your tips with us by emailing wellnesswire@healthline.com. | | | | | | |
| | | | Tis the (sleepy) season | | | | | | |  | | Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask | | You've heard about Tempur-Pedic pillows, but what about the sleep masks? Yup, they're just as comfy. This cooling sleep mask has the signature TEMPUR filling that molds to your face for a custom fit. It's also great at blocking out light when you want to take a midday nap. It'll be totally dark when you open your eyes! | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading! Kenny and Ginger will be stepping in for me over the next 2 weeks as I go on another vacation. (Yes, this is part of my end-of-year plan to de-stress.) I'll catch you all again soon. 👋
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