During the Holiday season, you may feel more stressed out than usual,
and you will not be alone. The American Psychological Association reports almost nine out of ten people experience stress during the holidays.
When we are stressed, we need to be mindful and ensure our own mental and physical well-being. By this, I mean to say we need to ensure we have proper coping mechanisms for the best possible times when we are feeling stressed, which gives us the ability to manage them and cope.
Sure one can turn to alcohol, drugs, and well cannabis. We are going to try and give you some tips to help alleviate stress and possibly give a more healthy means of coping giving way to having more fun and enjoying the holidays.
Firstly, let’s get to one important one, don’t let toxic people draw you into their world nor invade yours, you may find yourself stuck with a negative person for a day; do not engage be polite, and breathe when they irritate you. Secondly, try to put a positive note to things, and try to have some empathy for they might be in a bad place themselves. Their happiness is not your responsibility. Keep your interactions short, and polite and move on, if it is not possible politely discuss that it is the holidays and that is it the time and place for certain types of conversation. At all costs do not discuss things that make you angry or uncomfortable and I REPEAT DO NOT DISCUSS POLITICS!!! We have all heard enough over the last few years and it just makes people angry and contempt full of tribal and bitter vitriol.
The holidays are also known as a time when people are sad and depressed, don’t dwell for long on these emotions, have acceptance of them be mindful of them, and realize they too shall pass. However horrible you think the situation is it is only temporary and you will come out the other side.
Here are a few ways we think might help in reducing stress during the holiday season:
Take care of yourself, prioritize self-care by ensuring you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly, even if it’s just a walk for 10-15 minutes.
Slow things down, the holidays tend to be fast-paced, take a breath and slow it down.
Be sure to set realistic expectations, setting expectations too high can only lead to disappointment.
Do what makes you happy and feel good for you.
Practice self-compassion, and find out more about yourself and what you love. Also, love and embrace what makes you who you are.
Connect with others, work some charitable events, go to a gym, join a club of some type. Schedule regular visits or calls with friends, and communicate with family, friends, and by phone for video calls, text, and emails.
Take time for yourself, doing this can help you recharge your batteries.
Spend time in nature, getting fresh air and sunlight can help you relax and uplift your mood.
Limit your intake on the news and social media, and focus on connecting with people and hobbies in real life.
Be Kind to yourself and extend that kindness to others.
If you are involved in gift giving, set a budget and stick to it; don’t go into debt it only causes more trouble than it is worth. Consider Secret Santa instead of expensive gifts, or consider homemade or handmade gifts. It is supposed to be the thought that counts.
Don’t over-schedule yourself, yes the holiday season is a time for parties and social gatherings. Remember you do not have to do them all. Determine what you will actually enjoy versus what you feel obligated to do.
Simplify travel and limit car time, traveling for the holidays has many logistics and can be quite stressful. If you must travel, do whatever it takes to make it as easy as possible for your family and yourself. Whether it is by plane or car going from one point to the next or flight after flight; it can be exhausting. Do one or two events that you truly want to attend, it is part of setting healthy boundaries and keeping a reasonable schedule.
Be responsible about food and alcohol, do I need to say anymore? Try and stick to healthy choices but again it’s not the end of the world just in moderation. Especially, with alcohol involved, remember to drink plenty of water.
Enjoy family on your terms, while it is enjoyable to see family, many find extended family time to be stressful. As people, we all change and have different opinions or values, find acceptance that whether good or bad we are who we are. If need be take a break from the family gathering go for a walk, find some alone time, and/or call someone you enjoy talking to to get yourself grounded again.
Respect differences, We all have different perspectives on a variety of things. There’s quite a lot that can divide us and bring tension to social gatherings. Do your best to find and focus on our common ground. We are all better off when we seek peace and understanding with one another. If your efforts to maintain harmony are not as effective as you would like in minimizing conflict, setting a clear boundary, and/or taking a break
from the interaction can be effective ways to reduce negativity.
Take time for yourself, Consider giving yourself the gift of time during the holidays. Take a break from the rushing around, the shopping, the cooking, and the cleaning. Set aside time to read a good book, watch your favorite movie, go for a bike ride, or take a nap.
Honor the losses of the year or the past, The holidays can be especially challenging for those of us who have lost loved ones. Be sure to make space for your grief. Consider changing up your traditions to make your feelings of loss more manageable. You can also find a new way to weave in the memory of your loved one into your existing holiday traditions.
Reach out if you need help, If you know that this time of year is typically hard for you, lean on your friends and family. Talk to them about how you’re feeling and let them help you set boundaries and practice self-care. While the holiday blues are common for many this time of year, extreme anxiety or depression should not be ignored. If you are experiencing severe emotional, mental, or psychological struggles, talk to your primary care provider. Therapy, counseling, and medication are all useful tools to help us manage mental health challenges. (if you have been feeling anxious or depressed for more than two weeks, or are still feeling stressed after the holidays, consider reaching out for
help.)
