Overcoming Holiday Anxiety
Anxiety may seem as normal and natural a part of the holiday season as decorations, presents, and ginger bread cookies… But, it doesn’t have to be.
However, if you do feel anxious during this time of year, you’re far from alone… The fact is, many people experience anxiety during the holidays, and it isn’t because they’re some kind of Ebenezer Scrooge.
The holidays can be a stressful time for a myriad of reasons. There are all of the activities and social functions in addition to our routine responsibilities. There are the extra financial pressures of hosting parties, travel, and gift giving. We often have expectations for this time of year that simply don’t match up to reality. And there are additional causes of anxiety, such as the recent loss of a loved one, loneliness, or less than pleasant childhood memories that you’ve tried to bury.
The good news is that, while some of the extra stress that occurs this time of year may be beyond your ability to control, you CAN control how you cope with the anxiety and stress that seem to be so prevalent.
Steps You Can Take to Better Cope with Holiday Stress
There’s no denying the holidays are stressful, but how you cope with, or don’t cope with, that stress is the real issue.
Think about all of the obstacles in life you’ve overcome… Surely you can get through the holiday season, too!
The most important steps you can take to make sure you minimize anxiety and stress and enjoy this year’s festivities is to have a plan for handling stressful situations and a positive outlook. Here are a few tips to help you prepare:
2. Don’t Stress About Where Holiday Gatherings Will Be Held – You may throw the holiday party every year and this year someone else wants to… Let them! Take a load off for once and let somebody else do all the hard work if they really want to. You deserve a break. And, if you simply can’t make all of the gatherings you’ve been invited to, that’s perfectly acceptable. Just compassionately let someone know you’ll be unable to attend this year, but will happily make sure you’re there the next time.
3. Manage Your Time and Take Care Of Yourself – Simply breaking your normal routines can be stressful enough without the added stress of the holidays. Make sure you don’t sacrifice your personal time, your exercise routine, and your healthy eating habits and you’ll notice at least a little less stress this holiday season. Keeping healthy boundaries can be even more important during the holidays than the rest of the year!
4. Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Simple Things – Simple traditions from childhood may be what you love most about the holidays. If so, continue them. If not, create some new ones. Making the time to enjoy simple pleasures like fresh baked cookies, a warmhearted holiday movie, or building a snowman with your children or grandchildren can make all the difference… First and foremost, the holidays are about celebrating the love and gratitude we have for one another. The holidays aren’t about the gifts… it’s the experiences we share together that are most memorable!
Additional Tips for Overcoming Holiday Anxiety
If you feel like you’ve tried just about everything to not let your stress and anxiety get the better of you and nothing seems to drive those holiday blues away, you might want to consider getting some professional help… such as talking with a professional counselor or therapist.
Quite often, just being able to discuss your feeling can go a long way to reducing anxiety and stress.
Additionally, a licensed counselor or therapist can help you uncover any larger, unresolved issues that are exacerbating your stress and anxiety, as well as teach you mindfulness techniques and other coping sills.
Try the steps above, take care of yourself, and, if needed, seek out some professional assistance. The holidays may be a stressful time of year, but there’s no reason the added anxiety and stress of the holidays should take away from your enjoyment of this magical time of year!
However, if you do feel anxious during this time of year, you’re far from alone… The fact is, many people experience anxiety during the holidays, and it isn’t because they’re some kind of Ebenezer Scrooge.
The holidays can be a stressful time for a myriad of reasons. There are all of the activities and social functions in addition to our routine responsibilities. There are the extra financial pressures of hosting parties, travel, and gift giving. We often have expectations for this time of year that simply don’t match up to reality. And there are additional causes of anxiety, such as the recent loss of a loved one, loneliness, or less than pleasant childhood memories that you’ve tried to bury.
The good news is that, while some of the extra stress that occurs this time of year may be beyond your ability to control, you CAN control how you cope with the anxiety and stress that seem to be so prevalent.
Steps You Can Take to Better Cope with Holiday Stress
There’s no denying the holidays are stressful, but how you cope with, or don’t cope with, that stress is the real issue.
Think about all of the obstacles in life you’ve overcome… Surely you can get through the holiday season, too!
The most important steps you can take to make sure you minimize anxiety and stress and enjoy this year’s festivities is to have a plan for handling stressful situations and a positive outlook. Here are a few tips to help you prepare:
- Organize Your Holiday Shopping Early – Don’t wait until the last minute to start making your list and don’t put all of the pressure on yourself. Ask people for ideas for gifts so you’re not stuck trying to come up with the perfect present for everyone, and ask for help from family members when it comes to the shopping. It may also help to do some shopping online and get started early to avoid long lines and sold out items.
2. Don’t Stress About Where Holiday Gatherings Will Be Held – You may throw the holiday party every year and this year someone else wants to… Let them! Take a load off for once and let somebody else do all the hard work if they really want to. You deserve a break. And, if you simply can’t make all of the gatherings you’ve been invited to, that’s perfectly acceptable. Just compassionately let someone know you’ll be unable to attend this year, but will happily make sure you’re there the next time.
3. Manage Your Time and Take Care Of Yourself – Simply breaking your normal routines can be stressful enough without the added stress of the holidays. Make sure you don’t sacrifice your personal time, your exercise routine, and your healthy eating habits and you’ll notice at least a little less stress this holiday season. Keeping healthy boundaries can be even more important during the holidays than the rest of the year!
4. Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Simple Things – Simple traditions from childhood may be what you love most about the holidays. If so, continue them. If not, create some new ones. Making the time to enjoy simple pleasures like fresh baked cookies, a warmhearted holiday movie, or building a snowman with your children or grandchildren can make all the difference… First and foremost, the holidays are about celebrating the love and gratitude we have for one another. The holidays aren’t about the gifts… it’s the experiences we share together that are most memorable!
Additional Tips for Overcoming Holiday Anxiety
If you feel like you’ve tried just about everything to not let your stress and anxiety get the better of you and nothing seems to drive those holiday blues away, you might want to consider getting some professional help… such as talking with a professional counselor or therapist.
Quite often, just being able to discuss your feeling can go a long way to reducing anxiety and stress.
Additionally, a licensed counselor or therapist can help you uncover any larger, unresolved issues that are exacerbating your stress and anxiety, as well as teach you mindfulness techniques and other coping sills.
Try the steps above, take care of yourself, and, if needed, seek out some professional assistance. The holidays may be a stressful time of year, but there’s no reason the added anxiety and stress of the holidays should take away from your enjoyment of this magical time of year!
