Holiday stress-relief is a highly sought search term in the weeks after Thanksgiving. Along with pie recipes and gift-ideas, Google offers up a long list of less jolly sentiments of the season like these:
“Hate the holidays?”
“Coping with holiday tension”
“How to avoid year-end anxiety”
Not exactly the notions of goodwill and family traditions we imagine will usher us into the New Year.
When you consider the holidays, do you feel similarly exhausted, overwhelmed, or pressured? Do you long to escape the strain and fatigue from all of the expectations placed upon you or those you place upon yourself?
The holidays are frequently fraught with too much nostalgia and too many family dynamics. Expectations are often too precariously built on media-driven holiday “magic”, partying, and the perfect gift. The seasonal pressure is real.
Fortunately, you can overcome holiday anxiety with the following tips for soothing stress and boosting your ability to relax amid the merriment:
7 Holiday Stress-relief Strategies
1. Make a Clear Plan
As the holidays approach, take time to work out a plan that considers the various angles of your seasonal celebrations. Be as specific as possible, share your thoughts with all involved, and brainstorm how to be as prepared as possible. Be sure to include the following considerations:
- Will you host family gatherings or will you travel?
- Pertaining to your partner, will you visit their family, your family or both?
- What gifts need to be purchased?
- If hosting, what food, decor, accommodations will you need to prepare?
2. Pave the Way Financially
Financial planning makes a huge difference in your enjoyment during the holidays. Expenses can add up and become a source of joy-stealing anxiety if you find you are short on funds. January credit card debt is no fun to look forward to.
Save yourself the aggravation with a holiday budget. There are a wealth of online tools to help you create cost-saving plans and gift ideas.
3. Try These Tips for Successful Togetherness
Does ongoing time with relatives stress you out? Prepare yourself emotionally for interactions of all types, especially those that are particularly draining. Here are some tips that may help:
- Remain realistic. Your relatives are likely the same people they were last year.
- Be curious about your relatives. Stay as positive as possible
- Keep them talking about themselves, their children or plans.
- Devise a list of non-controversial conversation topics.
- Maintain an attitude of gratitude; focus on being kind and accepting.
- Set boundaries and excuse yourself if someone crosses them.
4. Give Yourself Time-Outs
Don’t feel guilty about planning escape routes. It’s okay to step away. If you need to, plan to be available for a set amount of time or attend just one or two gatherings. Celebrations aren’t fun for anyone if you feel forced together. To ensure you feel less constrained, get up early and take time for reading, prayer or meditation if it helps.
5. Don’t Forget to Breathe Out Anxiety
If the expectations, traditions, and spending start to get to you, check your breath. Chances are you are holding it in or breathing too quickly. Slow down. Take in a few deep, steadying breaths. It might help, too, to practice being as present as possible. Don’t get mired in the past or future. Breathe and stay in the moment.
6. Move your Body
Offset holiday feasting which can make you sluggish and prone to unhelpful thinking. Get out and get your blood moving. Take in some holiday lights, with your family members. Sightsee for an hour on your own. If you’re at home, maintain your regular workout schedule to burn off stress the usual way.
7. Share with Someone Who Cares
Is the holiday stress just too much? Do you have an understanding friend or a family member you can talk to, who gets what’s going on, and will be supportive? Sometimes you just need to share with someone.
Finally, If you find that holiday stress is particularly overwhelming this year don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. A therapist can listen and recommend more holiday stress-relief strategies. Please contact me by phone or email to discuss how we can work together to help you to cope and get through the season feeling more like you.
I look forward to the possibility of working with you as your journey continues.
Phil LeBlanc
