 | Whoa!! – Christmas is only 15 days away! And, Hanukkah starts 3 days prior to that! Are you feeling the holiday CHEER... or are you feeling the holiday FEAR?!? |
The holidays can be “the most wonderful time of the year” for some people. However, many others seem to be sucked into the stress that comes with the holidays – traffic, money, selfishness, time constraints, work schedules, gifts, parties, family obligations, vacations… just to name a few. Yes, some of these things are real issues to deal with, but some of them are perceptions and assumptions that we put on ourselves to add to our stress.
For example: Real stress: financial budget. Perceived stress: belief in how much money you must spend on gifts and holiday activities.
For example: Real stress: financial budget. Perceived stress: belief in how much money you must spend on gifts and holiday activities.
Tips to Manage Holiday Stress
- Time Management: Look at all of your obligations and extra events. Decide where/when to complete each activity. Say “no” to other invites or requests. Stick to your plan (so you don’t resent the person or the event for “making” you do something else).
- Self-Care: Ask yourself, what makes ME happy? Then, do that nice thing for yourself daily. Ideas include – bubble bath, watching favorite show/movie, listening/dancing/singing to music, enjoying fresh air, read, talk to a friend.
- Exercise: Work out that tension out with sweat. Your mood improves after cardiovascular exercise. Your body gets stronger and healthier. You feel better about your efforts, your health, and your appearance. You make better choices.
- Thought Shifts: Have you noticed you are focused more on perceived “have to” and “should do”? That’s a pressure you put on yourself. You don’t “have to” wrap gifts perfectly. Only you believe you “should” buy gifts for every single person you come into contact with. Instead, shift your thoughts to “want to” and “capable of.” If you like your mail carrier and have time and resources to give them a gift, go for it. If you don’t, that’s fine too! Remove the self-inflicted, negative pressure you are putting on yourself.
- Communication: Sometimes it is tough to interact with family, coworkers, and friends. Decide, this year, to either 1) say how you feel and what you need from them OR 2) let it go and just live your life without it. Staying in limbo is so exhausting!
- Fun! Choose joy! Embrace gratitude daily, especially in the little things. Cut out the nonessentials to make space in your day (and in your mind) for random things that make you smile and laugh.
- Ask for Help: Need a supportive, empathetic person to talk to? Everybody does!! Having a safe and loving support system is very important. If you need to add professional help to your support system, contact Bree Winkler or research other therapists.
I hope you have a wonderful, and peaceful, holiday season! May your days be filled with love, purpose, and laughter. Implementing these strategies can start today AND can continue into (and beyond) 2020!
Author
Bree Winkler is a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, GA. Bree specializes in helping clients manage anxiety, depression, anger, and relationship issues.
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