For many of us, this is a season of abundance: Various holidays, food and drink, décor, festive gatherings—and stress.

Why Are the Holidays Stressful for So Many?

Most children are free to enjoy the holidays with the anticipation, wonder, and freedom that our adult responsibilities often overshadow. For adults, the holidays can be disruptive and chaotic. Mindful eating can be more difficult and we may find it hard to adhere to healthy habits. This, along with busier schedules, can decrease both motivation and available time to keep up our regular physical fitness activities we’ve worked hard all year to establish.

And let’s not forget two big stressors: increased expenses from gift purchases, and family interactions that may not always go as planned. These can add on to our increased responsibilities when many of us have already felt like that plate was already full—or overflowing—year-round.

Tips to Relieve and Release Holiday Stress

If you find yourself caught up in the whirlwind of the holidays, pay attention to some tips that can help:

1. Set realistic expectations for both your pocketbook and your social calendar. Set a budget to spend on gifts and remember that you don’t have to attend every function. You can make a quick appearance to exchange pleasantries or gifts, then bid a gracious and grateful farewell.
2. Keep your holiday priorities in mind. What do you hope to get out of this holiday season? Is it to spend more time with friends and families, versus spending money on gifts? Or maybe you’d like to give more gifts but don’t have the budget; homemade gifts, whether food or crafts, bring a personalized and thoughtful touch to the recipients.
3. Don’t punish yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if you consumed sugary foods when you never eat sugar the rest of the year, or took that extra helping when you already felt like you’d had just the right amount. Try to keep to your set limits but when you slip, know that you have the ability to get back on track.
4. Make Time for “Me Time.” While making time for yourself is important year-round, it can be particularly beneficial during the holidays. Taking just a few minutes each day to meditate, go outside for a brisk walk, or just watch children playing in the park (without a smartphone in your hand) can help you reset, regroup, rejuvenate, and even recapture the simplicity of the holidays from your childhood. This solitude and calm can be just the ticket you need before - or after - a social event or family gathering.
5. Take advantage of your Transocean Benefits. Employees enrolled in the Transocean medical plan have access to Calm Health, which allows you to access personalized mental health programs created by psychologists and mental health specialists. You also have access to popular Calm content to help you relax and practice mindfulness. Calm Health is different than using the publicly available Calm app because it’s available only through an insurance plan, physician/care teams, and employers. Your Calm Health onboarding process includes a quick mental health screening to help develop a personalized plan, as well as noting your mental and physical health goals to customize your content. Each personalized plan is based on evidence-based programs and resources. To get started, register online or download the Calm Health app and set-up your login information using your email or one of the alternative options provided.  Once you have created this and logged in, enter the Transocean Access Code: RIG.

For employees not insured through United Healthcare, remember that you have access to a variety of other mental health and wellness benefits such as Talkspace, EAP, and Ableto, as well as substance use recovery tools and helpline.

We may never completely recapture the childlike freedom that once accompanied us on our journey through the holidays, but we can take steps to soak in the new holiday experiences that will become our adult holiday memories. Take advantage of Transocean’s gift of Calm to let the holidays surround you, without overwhelming you. Happy holidays!