How to Reduce End-of-Year Stress

Parties, decorating, baking, special meals with hard-to-find ingredients, dressing up in holiday gear, family gatherings, and travel in cold, snowy weather.?

Wrapping up projects for our business, completing forms and year-end paperwork.?

Why do we wait until December to do so many things at once?

Holidays

While the end of the year can be a joyful and celebratory time, it can also be a source of stress because of the pressure to meet deadlines, buy gifts for the holidays, plan family get-togethers, and set goals for the new year.

Oh, yeah, and we’re also trying to commute or travel for Christmas vacation when the weather is at its worst.

The holidays are a time for celebration and spending time with loved ones. This often involves a lot of planning and preparation, from buying and wrapping gifts and decorating the house to planning and shopping for meals and gatherings.

As we reach the second half of life, our holiday traditions go through some changes. Toby and I spoke about those changes for encore entrepreneurs in our Messages and Methods livestream, Christmas with Retirees: What Makes a Holiday Happy?

End of Quarter, End of Year: Beginning of Stress

December is the end of the calendar year, and it's natural for us to wrap up projects before starting fresh in the new year. This might involve completing tasks for our business, paying off debts, or planning content and campaigns for marketing in the year ahead.

This last month of the year is often a time when we reflect on the past year and think about what we want to change in the year ahead. This might involve making changes or setting goals for personal or professional development.?

All of these activities seem to pile up in December, contributing to the feeling of being busy and stressed.

That's why I often re-evaluate all my commitments to decide if I will keep going with my current content schedule.

Should I stop producing one or two of my weekly shows?

Sometimes it is best to let go of a time-consuming task, like editing two separate blogs or consolidating things to take less time and space in my weekly routine.

What Does Stress Look Like?

End-of-year stress, also known as holiday stress or seasonal stress, can have a variety of effects on people. Some common effects of end-of-year stress include:

Physical symptoms: End-of-year stress can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and difficulty sleeping.

Emotional symptoms: People may experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression during the holiday season.

Relationship difficulties: The added stress of the holiday season can lead to conflicts and strained relationships with friends and family.

Financial strain: The holiday season can be expensive, with the added cost of gifts and travel, which can lead to financial stress.

Increased substance use: Some people may turn to alcohol or other substances to cope with the added stress of the holiday season.

Decreased productivity: The increased demands of the holiday season can make it difficult to focus on work or other tasks, leading to decreased productivity.

Last week on my Livecast Lifestyle show, I talked about Creating Content Consistently During the Holidays and letting go of perfection while focusing on showing up and being present.

Stress Less, Enjoy More

While it can be overwhelming to have so much to do in such a short amount of time, it's important to remember to take breaks and try to relax when possible. It's also important to be mindful of our own limits and to ask for help when needed. With a little planning and some self-care, it's possible to enjoy the holiday season and start the new year off on the right foot.

There are several strategies that can help manage end-of-year stress:

Set realistic goals: Don't try to do too much during the holiday season. Set realistic goals and prioritize tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Plan ahead: Plan ahead and try to get a head start on holiday preparations to reduce last-minute stress.

Take breaks: Make time for relaxation and self-care. Take breaks from holiday preparations to do something enjoyable, such as reading a book or going for a walk.

Exercise: Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve your mood. Try to incorporate regular exercise into your routine, even if it's just a short walk or yoga session.

Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to the present moment and focus on your breath to calm your mind and reduce stress.

Get enough sleep: Make sure you are getting enough sleep during the holiday season to help manage stress and maintain your energy levels.

Practice gratitude: Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help put your stress in perspective and boost your mood.

Seek balance: It's important to find a balance between holiday activities and taking care of yourself. Don't overcommit yourself or take on too much.

Seek support: Talk to friends and family about your stress, or consider seeking support from a mental health professional.

If you need support setting up a content consistency framework and schedule for 2023 to reduce stress and have more time for your clients and family, schedule a video chat with me. We would love to hear about your vision for the coming year and help you to avoid the stress of weekly livestreaming, podcasting and blogging by taking over the production tasks for you.