The holiday season, the most wonderful time of year is upon us! The holiday season exudes excitement, fun and memories. But at times, the stress and obligations of the holiday season can cause many of us to feel overwhelmed and anxious. With so many social gatherings, family outings, dinners, parties, gift giving and shopping, work obligations and travel plans, the holiday time can be extremely stressful causing us to shut down instead of enjoy this time of year.
If you have ever felt overwhelmed with the holiday season, read on for some tips that can get you through this magical time of year.
So why is the holiday season so stressful anyway?
- Unrealistic Expectations: From decorations to elaborate meals and family moments that have to be just right, it can be easy to fall into a trap of perfectionism at each decision and gathering. Sometimes we can put more pressure on ourselves to create such amazing experiences and forget that things don’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.
- Financial Pressure: There are many financial situations that we are faced with during the holiday season. From gifts, travel, activities, end of the year expectations. This all can strain budgets and put financial stress on families.
- Family Dynamics: Spending time with family can be full of joy and love but it can also trigger old memories and painful unresolved conflicts. There are also times when spending the holidays with our loved ones can become overwhelming especially if we are grieving or experiencing loss.
- Less Structure/ Less Routines: The holiday season often comes with late nights, heavy meals, and a packed calendar, all of which can throw off sleep schedules and self-care habits for both adults and children.
So now that you know the why, let’s dive into the support! Here are a few tips that can make the holiday season less stressful and more meaningful and fun.
- Set Boundaries: Decide early on what you are comfortable with in regards to social activities, spending time with others and what your budget is. You may also want to decide how many parties or events you will attend and what your limit is.
- Create a Budget: Set a realistic spending budget for gifts and other holiday items and stick to it. You will feel less stress in December but also in January when the bills come.
- Practice Mindfulness: Take a few minutes each day to pause and breathe. A walk, meditation, or quiet moment with yourself can help you reset.
- Maintain Routines: As best you can, try to maintain your routines. That means to go to sleep at the same time each night that you normally would, eat healthy meals, continue to exercise and engage in basic self-care. Sticking to your routine can make a big difference in how you feel and handle your stress.
- Let Go of Perfection: No holiday is perfect. No family is perfect. No memory should be either. Focus on connection, not perfection.
And one of the best ways that you can engage in a stressfree holiday season is ask for help. If you need more support please reach out to us. We are always here to help you along your journey in life. And remember to give yourself grace this holiday season, nothing is perfect and everything is okay!
All of us at Elite Psychology and Wellness wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
