We live in a time where we are immersed in messages about the holiday season. These messages are everywhere: from social media allowing us all to see the happiest moments in a person’s life, to advertisements showing people glowing and enthusiastic as they shop for the newest, expensive gadget.
One underlying current is that the holidays are “supposed” to be celebratory and full of fun and connection with others. Unfortunately, that is not the experience of many people around the holiday season; which can be marked with sadness, anxiety, stress and reminders of not-so-good family memories.
Here is a list of 5 helpful tips to manage the stress of the holiday season:
1. Set healthy boundaries
If going to multiple celebrations and trying to see many people is part of your holiday experience, it may be helpful to consider setting healthy boundaries on your time.
Overextending oneself can be a big source of stress. Begin the dialogue early with those involved and provide context as to why you want to make changes. There can be many opportunities to see the people you love throughout the year and it does not have to be packed into one month.
2. Spend within your financial budget
Financial burdens and stress can contribute to anxiety.
If giving is part of your holiday tradition, consider giving in ways that fit your lifestyle. Smaller, thoughtful gifts including cards or pictures can be just as meaningful as large, expensive items. Consider giving your time to someone; perhaps driving someone to an appointment, making a meal, spending extra time doing crafts with your child or giving them a day of your undistracted attention.
3. Connect with others
Part of the sadness for some is that they are alone for the holidays. There are many ways to connect with others during the season and volunteer. There are a variety of holiday volunteering opportunities listed here.
Being around others and volunteering can connect you with a higher sense of purpose and meaning that can help to alleviate loneliness.
4. Stop and Breathe
Take a moment each day to stop what you are doing and notice your breath. Feel your body move with each breath and allow your mind to calm what it is thinking about and focus on breathing. Taking moments like this each day can be a “re-start” and allow you to become more aware of how you are feeling.
If you are aware of how you feel; you can take the necessary steps to self-care.
5. Practice Self-Care
The holidays can be times when our usual schedule and routines are thrown out of balance.
What we eat, our sleeping routine, and exercise can all be compromised. During a time of giving to others, we often forget ourselves. Practice giving to yourself and self-compassion. Consider taking a walk around the block to look at lights, give yourself time for a nap, create a self-care space in your home with books, candles, and items that bring a sense of calm.
