From yours truly.
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( In a Nutshell
Happy December, friends! Is âhappyâ the right word? I donât know. Between prepping for the holidays, tying up loose ends before the ball drops, and everything else I wonât list here, this month is always really stressful for me.
With the help of my therapist and some lifestyle changes, Iâve 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: • [Got smelly farts? Hereâs why and what to do about it]( • [Can ice cream really relieve a sore throat?]( • [Surprising risks of working out after you drink alcohol](
Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Morgan Mandriota
December 4, 2023 ⢠4 min read [This one goes out to my fellow âbah humbugsâ]( whatâs got us buzzing
[This one goes out to my fellow âbah humbugsâ](
ð¬ Iâm chronically stressed, especially in December. To me, itâs definitely *not* the most wonderful time of the year. (And no, I will not just âbrighten up,â so please stop asking.) Iâve 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 Iâm convinced my new year will be doomed. (Why am I like this?)
ðï¸ How I keep my stress in check. So many things contribute to my stress every December ââ family drama, frequent traveling, financial woes, you name it. But Iâm happy to say Iâve finally got a decent hold on it. Hereâs what I do to protect my mind, body, spirit, and wallet:
- I donât 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. Iâll 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 Iâm only buying presents for the kids to reduce financial stress. I also ask them not to buy me anything so I donât 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 Iâm out.
- I lean on my support team. Iâm 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. ð More tips for making this the Season of Self-Care. What works for me may not work for you, and thatâs OK! No matter what youâre going through, these resources can help you get through December a little easier:
- [Tips for navigating the holiday season while grieving](
- [How to celebrate through disordered eating recovery](
- [14 self-care gifts to help you unwind](
- [Ways to thrive during the holidays with your chosen family](
- [Your guide to creating and maintaining boundaries]( ð Chime in: How do you reduce stress in December? Share your tips with us by emailing wellnesswire@healthline.com. Great finds
Tis the (sleepy) season [Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask](
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𦷠[8 worst foods for your teeth.]( I canât believe bread is on this list.
ð± [9 benefits and uses of oregano oil.]( My sister-in-law swears by it for relieving congestion.
⨠[Skin care tips for menopause and beyond.]( Dermatologists share how to take care of your skin and ease potential issues during âThe Change.â 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.) Iâll catch you all again soon. ð Until next time,
[healthline](
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