It is well documented that holidays are a source of anxiety for so many of us. Many people feel stressed out during the holidays. You may notice you are not sleeping as well, physically feel sick or have headaches, or have an increase in frustration. It is little wonder either. We overextend ourselves during the holiday season, going to parties, making cookies, shopping, wrapping presents, visiting relatives, the list could go on. We also overextend our budget in the month of December which only increases our anxiety and stress.
With a few minor changes to your routine and lifestyle, you can survive this holiday season with minimal headaches.
- Say “No.”- This is perhaps the most difficult to achieve, but necessary for us to maintain some semblance of sanity. You do not have to accept every invitation thrown your way. You will simply be too exhausted to enjoy any of the holiday functions. Decide which parties are ones that you want to go to and only attend those. If you have to go to another one, say your work party, just make a quick appearance and then go home and watch a holiday movie. Decide who is important enough to you tovisit during the season, and set aside time to see that person. Remember, you don’t have to see everyone and go everywhere. There is always next year and many people are lonely after the holidays in January.
- Limit the gift giving. Exchanging gifts for the holiday season started out with the best intentions but now has become horribly stressful and expensive. Spending your holiday season fighting crowds at shopping malls, trying to figure out what Aunt Bertha could possibly want, and spending more money than you have is a recipe for disaster. Years ago, my family decided that buying gifts should only be for the children and it has worked out wonderfully. I don’t have to pretend to like something I don’t want or need and, best of all, I have limited people to shop for. I don’t have to go to the horrible stores at all in December.
- Find holiday activities that are free or cheap. There is plenty to do in December that doesn’t cost much. Make some hot cocoa and go look at lights. Take advantage of winter festivals. Make cookies just for fun. Spend time with your loved ones in a relaxing ways. The holiday season means nothing if you spend it all by yourself, stressed out at malls or in the kitchen.
- Try not to set unrealistic expectations and do not put all your energy into one day. This will just lead to disappointments. Many of us will never have that perfect holiday that you see on movies or in Hallmark television specials. Your family or loved ones will not magically transform for that one day.
- Don’t eat too much junk food or drink too much alcohol. I know this one is tough. The temptations are all around during this time of year. But, overeating and eating lots of sweets can increase your agitation and frustration. Alcohol can also increase depression and will certainly cause hangovers. A recipe for a holiday mood killer.
- Take time for yourself. This is the most important one. Set aside some time to get away from the holiday bustle and just relax in solitude. The holidays drain us both mentally and physically. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have a nice holiday. Whatever you do to relax – meditate, exercise, pray, take a bath, walk – make sure you spend some time doing it this season.
