A HEALTH FIRST COUNSELOR and Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice of Health First, Karis Willis, LMHC, visited with WESH 2 News’ Scott Heidler to offer tips for lowering the stress of the holiday season.

It's billed as the most wonderful time of the year, but the reality, says WESH 2 News’ Scott Heidler, is the end of the year can be very stressful, too.

“A lot of it has to do with the commercialization of what Christmas has become,” said Karis Willis, LMHC, a Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice of Health First. “And a lot has changed since COVID-19. The expectation may be that you still have to keep up like you did last year or the year before.”

First, take care of yourself.

Next, lean into the people around you who care enough to help – your coworkers, your employer, your friends and family.

Next, make a budget so that spending isn’t a stressor. And be proactive and plan as much as you can.

“If we take each day at a time, and we think, ‘What is it I need to accomplish today in order to help me to tomorrow?’ By the time Christmas comes, you really already have it all figured out,” Willis said.