Managing Holiday Anxiety
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
There’ll be parties for hosting (and attending).
Your heart should be glowing, especially when loved one’s are near.
And everyone is telling you that you should be of good cheer!
But, what if you're not? What if ‘the most wonderful time of year’ brings nothing but holiday anxiety? What if you feel overwhelmed and stressed during this season, rather than joyous ? What if you don’t feel or want to be that cheerful this year?
Well, I am here to tell you that this is completely natural.
It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and overwhelmed about:
Buying the right gifts for family (or for those you don’t know that well)
Traveling away from your home to visit people you don’t like that much
Having a jam-packed social calendar
Being thrown out of your daily routine
Having expectations of what this time of year ought to look like.
It is no wonder that all of these expectations and plans make us feel anxious! We are dedicating so much energy during this time of the year to make everything perfect.
Which is why it can feel challenging and sometimes even downright impossible to cope with everything we feel we have to do during this season. So, what can you do this holiday season to better manage your anxiety? The best way to prevent or manage feelings of anxiety is to prepare ahead of time for potential situations that could trigger your anxiety. Below are some steps that you can take to better manage your anxiety and stress leading up to this holiday season.
Keep It Simple–The holiday season is not a contest to see who can buy the most lavish gift or having an extravagant meal. Rather than focusing anxious energy on purchasing the best gift or cooking the perfect meal, eliminate what you can so that you have less to worry about. Maybe you do a potluck instead of cooking the meal yourself. Perhaps, you give people gift cards rather than physical gifts. Get comfortable with the idea that you do not have to do everything!
Prioritize Yourself–Schedule time to relax and spend intentional time with yourself…even if it is for 10-15 minutes! Find a quiet space to meditate, journal, read a book or sip on coffee/tea while you burn a scented candle. Whatever feels good for you at that moment, just choose to do something that relaxes and calms your mind!
Plan Ahead–Take intentional space to identify and understand your anxiety triggers! Maybe you are anxious about going over budget on gifts. If so, before you go shopping, put together a budget so you are aware of what you feel comfortable with spending. Perhaps social situations make you anxious. Reach out to see if there are friends or family attending the same event! Maybe you are hosting a holiday meal/gathering and are anxious about the tasks you have to complete. Ask for help from those who are attending! The more time you have to prepare for upcoming events, the less anxious you will be.
Just Say ‘No’–I am here to tell you that it is 100% okay to say no to things. During this time of the year, we are stretched thin as we are juggling a lot of different things. So, if something is not fueling or giving you joy, it is okay to politely but firmly decline!
Create an Action Plan–It is important to have an action plan going into the holiday season. Take time to determine how you want to respond to your anxiety, rather than react to your anxiety. Maybe you sit down with your toolbox of skills and write down techniques that you already know work for you and keep them in your back pocket.
Ask for Support–It is okay to feel anxious and ask for help! If this season is especially challenging for you, let your family and friends know that you need extra support. Whatever you need that will help you should be communicated to your supportive network beforehand so that they are aware of what you will need in those anxious moments.
We all feel anxious during the holiday season at one point or another. It is often inevitable at times.
However, if your anxious part feels more extreme and interferes with your ability to be in the present moment of the holiday, it may be worthwhile to take steps to prepare or even reach out to a therapist for additional support. Lastly, it is important for you to recognize that you have the power to take control of your anxiety and overcome it! You do not have to let your anxiety ruin your holiday spirit.
