Holiday Anxiety? Ways To Stress Less And Enjoy The Holidays!
The holidays can be a joyful and stress-free time of year—or, unfortunately, a time of stress, anxiety and dread. With the added pressure to make sure everything is perfect for family, in-laws, and friends, it’s no wonder that the holiday season can often inflict a lot of unnecessary strain. Here are some tips to make sure you’re feeling relaxed, not overwhelmed when the holiday season comes around.
Understanding Holiday Anxiety
The holidays are a busy time of year for many of us and can come with added stress and anxiety. Holiday anxiety can range from mild cases of the ‘holiday blues’ to serious forms of anxiety that interfere with our daily lives. It’s important to understand why these feelings come up during the holidays, so that we can combat them better.
Here are some common causes of holiday anxiety:
• Overburdening yourself: Over-scheduling and taking on too much can be a source of holiday stress and leave you feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.
• Financial burden: Paying for airfare, costly gifts, and food can be financially taxing.
• FOMO (fear of missing out): With the overwhelming number of activities and events to choose from, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on something important.
• Family relationships: We all experience strain in family relationships from time to time, so your relationships with family members may put more stress on you during the holidays.
• Too many people: If you’re the type of person who doesn’t thrive around large crowds, big family gatherings can be a source of angst.
Healthy Ways To Reduce Holiday Anxiety
Reducing holiday anxiety is an important tool in helping us remain sane and enjoy this special time of year. Here are some healthy ways to stave off holiday anxiety and stress:
• Prioritize and plan: Make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself with too many activities, and be thoughtful about what events you attend.
• Keep a schedule: Set aside certain days to do specific activities. Avoid cramming too much into one day.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can help manage your stress and anxiety levels, even if you don’t have time for a full workout.
• Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can aggravate stress and anxiety, so be conscious about setting an appropriate bedtime, even if you’re busy.
• Practice self-care: Make sure to stay mindful of your mental and physical health by taking time out, meditating, or doing activities that help you feel relaxed and happy.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Consuming alcohol in excess encourages unhealthy coping mechanisms, lowers serotonin levels in the brain, and can make you feel worse in the long run.
• Reach out: If your holiday anxiety is getting the better of you, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional, or to your friends or family.
Family Gathering Tips To Manage Holiday Anxiety
If you’re feeling anxious about attending family gatherings, here are some useful tips to prevent that holiday family stress and make sure everyone has a good time.
• Communicate with family members in advance: Let them know which events you’re attending and let them know how you’d like to handle any emotional discussions or disagreements.
• Have an exit plan: If you feel like things start to get overwhelming, give yourself permission to walk away and find a quiet place of comfort.
• Stick to your values: Try to stay true to yourself and the values that are important to you. This will help you stay on steady footing even if things get heated.
• Give yourself permission to say no or have a break: Not every event or conversation needs to be attended. You don’t need to join in on every discussion and there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a break when you need it.
• Prepare for awkward conversations: Think through any conversations that might be potentially awkward and come up with a few pre-planned ideas or phrases to get you through it.
• Spend time doing something fun: Make sure to leave aside time for activities you enjoy, or plan some fun activities with family. This will help remind you why you’re coming together in the first place.
• Spend quality time with people you love: Take some time each day to talk with one person who you feel really connected to. This will help to shift the focus away from anxious thoughts.
• Stay connected: If you can’t make it home this year, make sure to stay connected by Skype, Facetime, phone calls, or old-fashioned letters.
Enjoy The Holidays!
When the holidays come around, it’s easy to focus on the stress and anxieties. But remember why we look forward to it—to reconnect with family, make memories and enjoy good company. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, practice self-care, remember to take breaks and spend thoughtful time with the people that matter to you.
If your anxiety is severe and unmanageable, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from a mental health professional. With a few simple steps, you can make sure you enjoy the holidays for what they should be: a time of joy and connection.
