The holidays are usually a time of celebration and fun, but they are also very stressful for many people. And if your anxiety level is rising in December, you're not alone.
Nearly half of US adults, 41%, say their stress increases this time of year, according to a report American Psychological Association. “I think there's some solace in that you're not the only one feeling very stressed,” says the happiness expert. Jessica Weiss.
Weiss has spent more than a decade giving lectures and workshops on happiness at work, including a TED talk titled “Happiness: It's an inside jobHere are her tips for how to boost your mood this season.
1. Maintaining social connections
For Weiss, when she's stressed, “the most important thing is to maintain social connections,” she says. Specifically, try to “have some small moments of connection.”
These can be with family and friends and do not have to be very long. “I talk for 10 minutes,” she says. Ideally, this is done in person, but if it has to be done via phone call or text, that's okay too. Try to have at least two moments of connection every day.
“Even short moments of positive interaction will promote happiness and reduce stress,” she says.
2. Maintain your routine
Second, whatever the holiday season is in terms of a range of seasonal activities, “keep your usual routine,” she says.
For Weiss, it's exercise, but “maybe your normal routine is reading for half an hour in the morning,” she says. “Maybe your usual routine is to do breathing exercises before you start your day. Maybe your usual routine is to relax with a hot bath.”
It's especially important to keep doing whatever you're doing to de-stress. It will “make everything feel more natural,” she says.
3. Say “no” when you need to
Finally, it's very easy for schedules to fill up this time of year, but you don't have to say yes to every invitation. “Say no to anything that drains you,” Weiss says.
“There will be certain things necessary, right?” Maybe family gatherings, for example, she says. But she adds: “Non-essential things are things you can say no to, and the real test is, what's the worst that could happen if you said no to those things?”
If you realize there won't be major repercussions, this is your chance to say no and get that time back.
Ultimately, Weiss believes, “less celebration sometimes means more joy.”
Do you want to make extra money outside of your day job? Enroll in the CNBC online course How to earn passive income online Learn about common passive income sources, tips for getting started, and real-life success stories.
In addition, sign up for CNBC Make It Newsletter For tips and tricks for success in business, money and life.
