6 Tips To Manage Holiday Stress For Working Women
The holiday season is stressful for most people, but even more for working women. Where kids think of all the wonderful sights, dishes, decorations, and festivities, women think of arrangements, family quarrels, money problems, buying gifts, and handling a thousand other issues. That’s why joy is not usually the first thing that comes to working women’s minds on holidays.
Women are more prone to mental health issues than men, but working women are even more so. This is because they do not just face the typical family issues but also work-related ones. Women have to work in a male-dominated industry, work harder to prove their competence, and manage social obligations because they are expected of them. They have to entertain the kids, manage gifts, fulfill familial obligations, cook, bake, decorate, save money, and even arrange for holiday traveling.
All these expectations and obligations can weigh heavily on a working woman’s mind and give rise to further mental and physical problems. Therefore, Click Pharmacy mental health experts have created this list of tips you can use to reduce your stress caused by holidays this winter season.
- Create a budget and stick to it
Spending above the earning potential is one of the biggest causes of stress for most working women. Therefore, you should practice frugality in holidays and gift-giving. Suggest ‘Secret Santa’ for gifts, watch for holiday sales, take advantage of special offers, and use discount coupons. Gifting handcrafted items, especially from your kitchen, will also hold special meaning to gift-takers while remaining cheap.
- Make a plan
Make a comprehensive list of your holiday tasks and create a realistic timeline to fulfill them all. In addition to preparing the traditional holidays meals, ask visitors to bring a dish each, so your burden lessens. Cut back on intricate meals or desserts. Shop online instead of wasting your time in the malls and overcrowded stores. Instead of a huge mess, make a few meaningful decorations that create unnecessary stress and clutter. Consider going to visit a relative instead of inviting everyone over.
- Learn to say ‘No’
Everyone has their own preferences for the holidays. Your in-laws want you to come over and spend the holidays there, despite large distances. One kid wants mashed potatoes, the second wants lumps, and the others have their own special requests. Learn to say ‘no’ to such requests while prioritizing your own comfort. If you’re going to travel instead of spending the holiday at home, excuse yourself by making plans to visit later and just go travel. Working women deserve a little break from their frantic schedules, especially during holidays.
- Carve out some ‘Me’ time
Discuss with your partner about your holiday plans without reservations. Trade opinions and judge each other’s expectations. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Include a few minutes of physical activity in your everyday schedule. Take a long, hot bath to relax and destress. Get a massage, go to a saloon, and eat healthy foods. Sleep at night to get full rest. Take some time out of your busy holiday schedule to engage in your favorite hobby or to get your favorite treat. Self-preservation is not just a reward for your hard work but a necessity to keep yourself mentally and physically healthy.
- Enjoy your time with your partner
Winter holidays give an amazing excuse to ignite the romance in your life. Ask someone to babysit the kids while you go out to enjoy a romantic dinner or two with your partner. Enjoy a couple’s night out, and no, the Christmas shopping for your kids doesn’t count! When the snows fall and bright lights color the streets, that’s the best time to enjoy some romance.
- Keep realistic holiday goals
Do not take all the burdens on your shoulders. Instead, get some help from your partner, kids, and loved ones to share the chores, like decoration, card writing, gift buying and wrapping, baking, cooking, and sweeping the snow. Not everything has to be done like an expert; accept small imperfections in favor of bonding with the family. Play background holiday music, watch special holiday shows and go travel on an affordable budget.
Stress indicators for working women in winter holidays
When working women experience a lot of stress, they are at risk of;
- Migraine and headaches
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- High blood pressure
- Eating disorders
- Skin disorders
- Menstrual cycle disorders
- Decreased sex drive
- Immune system disorders
- Mood swings
Last word
Working women have a lot of expectations piled upon their shoulders. They are expected to work, bring back high income, care for kids, and do house chores. When the winter holidays arrive, their workload increases exponentially. A human can only do so much. Therefore, you should learn to share your burdens and take care of yourself. Even supergirl needs rest sometimes, so don’t be ashamed for craving it. Best of luck with your holidays!
