Holiday Stress can be challenging. Look around any store, and you’ll find early reminders of what’s ahead of us- spending quality time with people we love, great food, fabulous parties, and more. Of course, we all hope our holiday season will be made of these, but that’s not always the case. Even in the best of situations, people struggle with excessive commitments, social anxiety, fallouts with loved ones, unrealistic expectations, and financial pressures. If any of those sound familiar, you may be wondering how to get on top of your mental health this year. In this 4-part series, you will find a way to manage the top holiday mental health concerns and start your 2025 fresh instead of frazzled.
Start Now, Not Later to Manage Holiday Stress
November can feel too soon to consider digging into holiday preparation, but if you want to enjoy some bliss this December, start the ball rolling now. Planning helps you take back control, and the time to plan your upcoming season is here! Managing the extra demands on your time early in the game is much easier. Why? You are more objective when you are not in a time crunch.
Tip #1: Give Yourself Time
One of the most effective ways to kick the holiday stress is to use planning to your advantage. A helpful rule during this time of the year is to assume everything will take 2 times as long as you think. When you plan upcoming errands, it can be hard to remember how time-consuming many of the demands are. This can lead to overbooking and excessive commitments, which leads to unnecessary anxiety.
Tip #2: Don’t Forget Yourself
It is easy to get so caught up in the swirl of holiday activities you forget to spend time with yourself. Reserving some personal time will help you keep what is important in perspective and help you manage stress during the holidays. We are vulnerable to poor moods when we neglect to care for ourselves. Need ideas? Check out some clever ways to enjoy the moment in front of you.
Tip #3: Prioritize
This holiday season, ask yourself honestly: what and who is truly important? What can go to the side if I begin to feel overwhelmed or rushed? Although it can be hard, learn to say no to things you do not want or need to do. If you need help figuring out how to prioritize, look to your values. Values, not external expectations, will guide you during this time. Need to know what your core values are? Don’t know what your core values are? Here is a great exercise to figure out what is truly important to you so you can put your priorities in order.
Tip #4: Practice Mindful Gifting
We all know this state of awareness is the best way to go about our day. You may not have known is you can also practice mindful gifting. When we have time to be leisurely about purchasing gifts, we tend to think more deeply about the person we are gifting for. If you take this time now, your gifts will mean much more to the recipient and yourself. Set aside time for reflection, list each receiver, and write down what they genuinely like and enjoy. Watch for clues if you still need to learn more about the recipient.
Holiday Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Holiday stress and depression can extend into your new year if not dealt with sooner than later. The tips and tricks above help answer the question of establishing holiday stress management tools through planning. However, there may be times when you need more help to deal with your anxiety. Finding the best cognitive behavioral therapist for you can be another tool when dealing with the holiday blues.