For many college students, the holiday season signals the end of a grueling week of finals and a potentially even more grueling end of the first semester. However, for many others, the holidays can bring up what can seem like hundreds of stressors and triggers. 

Whether it’s due to family dynamics, busy schedules, academic concerns or even personal mental health struggles, here are some ways college students can navigate stress during the holiday season. 

1. Acknowledge your feelings

While the desire to ignore and avoid negative feelings can be tempting, especially when surrounded by friends and family, in reality, ignoring them can play out negatively in the long term. 

According to Psychology Today, while it’s natural to want to shut down certain negative feelings, emotions strongly rely on quick and reflective action. So, not only does avoiding emotions make it hard to deal with stronger, more intense emotions in the long term, but you may end up walking away from certain situations with potentially negative interpretations (such as rejection or hurt) that aren’t factually accurate to the situation. 

For this reason, it’s recommended that people acknowledge their feelings by naming them, allowing them to exist within their body, mindfully investigating their cause and allowing compassion for themselves for feeling those feelings. 

2. Find routine 

Finding routine during a busy holiday season can be hard, especially for those who are moving back home with family and may be forced to step out of the daily routine they developed while at college. 

According to WebMD, daily routines have been linked with decreases in stress, better sleep, increased happiness and an overall positive increase in personal health. It’s important to be flexible when setting a new routine, as it’s easier to go back to it when you take breaks without viewing those breaks as failure. 

When trying to navigate a new routine while at home, it can help to modify the one you already have. 

Instead of trying to change your routine all at once, write down your modified routine in the form of a list or schedule, track your progress with a visual aid and then reward yourself when you stick to it. 

3. Reduce spending 

For many, the winter holidays are a time for giving and showing friends and family that you care by buying them plenty of gifts. However, for some people, this expectation of spending can lead to concerns about affordability and other financial issues. 

An article published by America Saves has created a list to help people navigate holiday spending, which includes creating a holiday spending and savings budget, making a list, planning for post-holiday expenses and even giving DIY or other forms of thoughtful gifts to others.

4. Set boundaries 

While boundary setting can be hard, especially when it comes to family members, according to Psychology Today, boundaries are helpful when navigating relationships. They help you figure out how much and what kind of contact you have with other people, how much time you give and ask from others and how much time you reserve for yourself. 

If you find yourself often feeling weary, burnt out or even angry during the holidays, there’s a good chance that boundaries can not only help you alleviate the stress leading to those feelings, but can help you improve your relationships. Boundaries can help you be the best version of yourself in those relationships. 

So, how does one set boundaries with their parents or other family members? While it’s not easy, this article by Sagebrush Counseling has outlined a step-by-step tutorial on how to set boundaries without feeling any unnecessary guilt. 

Ultimately, boundaries are an important reminder to take time for yourself and not to allow others to dictate how you spend your time and energy. 

5. Ask for help  

While holiday stress can feel overwhelming and make it feel like you are navigating all your problems on your own, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re not alone.

If at any point you find yourself struggling to navigate your problems independently, there’s no shame in reaching out for additional help. 

Kent State has numerous resources available for students who are seeking help, including Counseling and Psychological Services located in Van Campen Hall, the Kent State Psychological Clinic located in Kent Hall and The Counseling Center located in White Hall. 

Additionally, there are numerous websites available, such as Find A Therapist, to help you find a local mental health professional near you. 

While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the holiday stress, you don’t need to. It’s okay to feel stressed, but that doesn’t mean you have to navigate it alone, nor does it mean you just have to live with it. 

Remember to take a step back, take a deep breath and understand that while this stress may be overwhelming, it isn’t forever.

Rebekah Hiles is a web writer and photographer. Contact her at [email protected].