The holidays are a time for generosity, good cheer, family closeness, and festivities. All too often, however, they become filled with stress due to the many demands we face this time of year. We frequently feel drained and overextended because of the numerous school events, work parties, and family gatherings we are asked to participate in, on top of the hectic nature of holiday planning and shopping.
Rushing around in holiday traffic to crowded stores can take up a lot of our spare time and leave us feeling irritable and cranky rather than joyful. Additionally, we may end up spending too much money, especially as new technologies emerge and children request more and more expensive gadgets.
The holidays are also associated with family get-togethers, which can be very uncomfortable for many people. Taking time off of work can be nerve-racking as well, as projects may need to be completed and deadlines met before we can leave. We might also dread returning to work afterward, as our work may have piled up and we might have a huge email inbox to contend with.
If we have to travel, we can usually expect long lines and delays at the airport and bad weather at times, which can lead to canceled flights or difficulties with driving. Reconnecting with family members can also be challenging for some, as being in close proximity may bring up old wounds or unresolved conflicts. Rather than the warm and fuzzy feelings we were hoping for, we may end up feeling upset and depleted by the end of our visit.
The holidays may be even more difficult to handle for those who are alone. This can lead to sadness, loneliness, and a feeling of being left out for many individuals who are either unable to be with their families around the holidays or don’t have families of their own.
The holidays may be even more difficult to handle for those who are alone. This can lead to sadness, loneliness, and a feeling of being left out for many individuals who are either unable to be with their families around the holidays or don’t have families of their own.
Some level of stress may be unavoidable, but there are steps we can take to limit its impact on our mental and physical well-being. Here are seven such steps:
- Don’t overextend yourself. Learn to say no. During the holiday season, we can often bite off more than we can chew with all of the events, parties, and festivities we may have going on. By limiting the number of invitations we accept to a select few, we can avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.
- Don’t spend more than you can afford to. Although we all want to please the people we buy gifts for, we also want to make sure we’re not spending too much, then becoming upset and resentful when we are stuck with a high credit card bill. Try to limit your spending to what you can actually afford. You may want to talk to your family about pulling names out of a hat and buying a gift for only the family member whose name you’ve picked, rather than for everyone in the family. Another idea is to make your holiday feast a potluck so everyone contributes rather than having one person responsible for all the cooking, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.
- Get your shopping done early. Try to avoid the holiday crowds by either doing your shopping early in the season or on weekdays rather than on weekends when stores are busiest. Making your purchases online can also save time and hassle.
- Prioritize work projects. If you are planning on being out of the office over the holidays, look over your workload and focus on completing the most critical jobs first. Leave any that can wait until after your return.
- Set limits with family members. If there is a lot of dysfunction or conflict in your family, set some boundaries in order to avoid getting caught up in the fray. You may choose to limit your stay or book a nearby hotel room, for example.
- Practice self-care. Try to find some time to pamper yourself during the holiday season in order to relieve any stress you may be experiencing. Taking a warm bath, enjoying a walk in nature, or giving yourself the gift of a massage are just a few of the self-care activities you can do to help yourself relax.
- Schedule an appointment with a therapist. If you are feeling sad or depressed around the holidays, don’t suffer in silence. Reaching out for help may be the best gift you can give yourself.
If you feel like the Grinch has stolen your holiday spirit, try using some of the tips above to relieve some of your stress and bring joy to the season. Even a few simple changes might make a big difference.
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