Holiday Stress Relief with LSAs

It’s beginning to look a lot like….? Most people would fill that blank with the word “Christmas,” but I would choose BUSY! This is often the busiest time of the year, from decorating to holiday parties to shopping. For some, such as those grieving lost loved ones or broken relationships, it can be the loneliest and saddest time of the year. So, how do we get through it? Something that can help is the Lifestyle Spending Account, or LSA.

Dreading Too Many (or Too Few) Celebrations?

I saw a post by someone who had already attended three Christmas parties, and it was only December 1st! I feel exhausted and burned out just thinking about it! On the other hand, people with no local family or friends may have difficulty managing loneliness. LSAs can help to address both of these excesses. (Don’t know what they are yet? Let me explain!)

Adhering to a regular sleep schedule may be the best remedy when you have too much to do, but that can be difficult with celebrations that run later into the evening than usual. However, meditation may help with relaxation and reduce symptoms of insomnia.

People with too little going on in their social lives may struggle with loneliness and depression. Group classes, such as crafts and cooking, are an excellent way to meet new people and learn new things for a sense of community and personal growth.

The great news is that employers can authorize meditation tools and classes as eligible LSA items! That means you can find holiday stress relief AND not stress about paying for it, either!

Holiday Stress from Higher Spending

Decorating, gifts, and indulgent food also usually mean it’s beginning to look like the most expensive time of the year. While your employer can’t finance your holidays, they may provide LSAs that can be used to help cover some bills, freeing up some personal funds for holiday costs.

What else can I do to minimize holiday stress?

Above and beyond these options, here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for holiday stress relief:

• Set priorities – If your time or interest prevents you from doing everything, pick a few of your favorites and let the rest go.
• Take shortcuts – Send cards to only those you regularly contact or hear from, or consider store-bought or catered foods to cut cooking/baking time.
• Watch your eating and drinking – Too much of either can make you feel awful and cut into your enjoyment and fond memories of this holiday season.
• Look at togetherness differently this year – You can’t do everything, and it’s okay to decline invitations. Conversely, if you have nothing to do, helping those less fortunate may warm your heart and help fight loneliness.
• Just breathe – Make time to be still and breathe, it will help you reset and prepare for whatever is next on your holiday to-do list.

Betty and I hope we have helped change your holiday stress path with our LSA education and favorite tips and tricks. And we wish you and yours a very happy, stress-free holiday season!