In the collective imagination, the Christmas period is
synonymous with rest and conviviality. The reality is often very different: a race
against time between end-of-year work deadlines, buying gifts and
A busy social calendar. This phenomenon is not a simple frenzy, but a
real overload
cognitive and emotional that can compromise well-being.
How to survive Christmas stress? The
The key to not getting to December 25 exhausted is to adopt strategies
Targeted time management and, above all, support
brain function. In this article, we will find out how
Transforming the month of December from a source of stress to a time of closure
positive of the year.
What are the symptoms of anxiety
Holidays?
Also known as Christmas Blues, the anxiety of
is a specific condition characterized by a sense of
melancholy, restlessness or inadequacy that emerges in stark contrast to the atmosphere
of socially imposed joy. It manifests itself with psychological symptoms such as
irritability and apathy, and physical such as headaches and fatigue
general.
Often confused with simple organizational stress, it is
It is also important to know the causes of holiday anxiety so as not to
being overwhelmed by it:
- Emotional dissonance.
Discomfort often arises from the gap between one's real state of mind and expectation
external of having to be happy at all costs. Accept your
emotions, even if negative, is the first step to defuse this
voltage.
- Social comparison stress.
Continuous exposure to images of perfect families and ideal celebrations,
especially on social media, can fuel a sense of inferiority and
perceived loneliness. Restrict
the use of social media in this period
helps protect one's mental balance.
- Biological and seasonal factors.
The impact of reduced exposure to typical sunlight should not be underestimated
of December, which can affect serotonin and melatonin levels,
contributing to mood drops and mental fatigue.
How to calm holiday anxiety? Get started
from intelligent planning
Anxiety often arises from the perception of not having the
control over events. Structuring the days methodically is the first step to
Reduce mental stress:
- Time blocking technique:
Instead of working on endless lists, assign specific and non-specific blocks of time
tradable to any asset. If you plan to shop, block two hours in
agenda as if it were a business meeting. This confines the commitment to one
defined time space, reducing performance anxiety.
- Prioritize:
Clearly distinguish between what is urgent and what is important. Many
Christmas activities such as perfectly decorating the house or participating in every
Aperitifs may seem urgent, but they are often not essential. Learn to
postpone or eliminate the superfluous.
- Delegate and simplify:
perfectionism is the main enemy of serenity. Accept that you do not
everything must be impeccable allows you to delegate tasks to family members or
colleagues, distributing the organizational burden and recovering precious energy.
How to manage cognitive load for
Reduce Christmas stress?
The brain has a limited ability to process
information and decision-making. During the holidays, this ability is
put to the test by the continuous change of context. Here are some tips
Useful for limiting the impact of Christmas stress:
- Avoid
multitasking. The mind is not designed to do more
things at the same time with efficiency. Replying to emails while you are
Planning the Christmas Eve menu reduces the quality of both actions and increases the quality of the
exhaustion.
- Do
breaks to recharge the brain. Insert short breaks
of 5-10 minutes between activities allows the nervous system to
reset. Deep breathing or exposure to natural light is
Effective methods to lower
cortisol levels, as well as indulging in some
moment of solitude or practice <a href="https://www.snapshotbrainfuel.com/magazine/lifestyle/mindfulness-effetti-cervello-corpo">mindfulness.
- Not
neglecting sleep. Sleep is the time when the
The brain processes emotional stress and consolidates memory. Maintain a
regular sleep routine is the highest investment you can make for
their mental health during the holidays.
- Supports
the brain with specific nutrients. Eat healthy, maintain
hydration and
avoid
simple sugars that cause energy spikes followed by
sudden collapses: all of this is essential to sustain performance
cognitive systems.
- Recharge the mind
with brain fuel. Feel the need for extra help to
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