According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. This percentage is even higher in persons that are already experiencing mental illness.
Why do the holidays bring out stress and anxiety in people? Most will say it is unrealistic demands, large group gatherings, financial strain, lack of sunshine for those in cold locations, and an overall busy schedule.
So how do we get ahead all those things and try to find the joy of the holiday season? Keep reading to find out!
- Be kind to yourself. You may have noticed this concept comes up often in my blog posts. I am not very good at this, so I have to remind myself constantly. The first step to an enjoyable holiday season is to let go of expectations, be kind to yourself, and really pick and choose what is meaningful to you. This might mean that you can’t go to a holiday party every weekend or participate in every secret Santa you get invited to. Remind yourself it is ok to only do the things you want to do!
- Healthy Habits. I mentioned this in last week’s post but it is worth mentioning it again. I have felt so much better this December since I decided that just because I ate a whole meat and cheese plate on the weekend, that I should give up for the whole month. Eating healthy as much as you can, drinking, water, getting good sleep, and exercising should be the priority throughout the season (and always, really!). Don’t beat yourself up if you were away for a few days and didn’t get to work out or stick to a healthy sleep schedule. Get back to it as soon as you can!
- Plan ahead. There are lots of events happening during this time. It can feel very overwhelming in the moment to try and make choices. It is helpful to look at your schedule and pick a few activities you really want to do. Some people like to do a lot of things, and that is ok as long as it is not causing anxiety or overwhelm! On the other side, some people may not want to do or plan anything. Whatever you choose, remember that it is fine either way.
- Be realistic. I read this recommendation in an article by the Mayo clinic and loved it! As someone who didn’t grow up with Christmas, it can be tough not to want it to look like a Hallmark movie. This concept can really be applied to anything but especially during the holiday season. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing, just focus on having the right season for you. You may have not done matching PJs pictures or baked cookies and that doesn’t mean your holidays are lost. I’ve decided to start a tradition of Chinese food and Christmas Carols this year for Christmas’ Eve and I can’t wait to do it.
- Reach out. There is a reason there is so much literature and articles on mental health around the holidays. It is a stressful time and some people can feel isolated. If you feel like things are getting out of hand, sad, or even just super stressed from planning, reach out to a trusted family member, friend, or professional. There is help available.
It has been interesting for me to figure out how to deal with the holiday season as our family has grown. Being a blended family can make it fun due to many options for different traditions but it can also be confusing and even overwhelming.
This year, I realized that my biggest problem is that I felt that I was “doing it wrong”. I am not sure who decides how to do holidays right or wrong and it feels a little silly as I write it on the post. You can guess that I decided only I know what makes me happy during this time and I can create whatever traditions I want! I am very lucky my husband is very supportive of all my crazy ideas. I can say this December I’ve had the most fun ever so far and there is still so much good stuff to look forward to.
Drop any fun holiday traditions you have in the comments! I am always looking for inspiration.
