Holidays are filled with traditional foods and decorations. We enjoy family gatherings and parties. Yet more than half of us experience increased stress during the season of joy. When you acknowledge the aspects of your holiday plans that increase your stress you can shift your approach to minimize anxiety and maximize the joy of the season.
There is so much to do in preparation for gatherings, decorating, giving gifts, and meal preparation! If this is your stress point, slow down. Planning and organization are your strategies. Making lists can help you group tasks for efficiency. Detailed menus for holiday meals allow you to have a detailed shopping list. One trip to town for groceries saves time.
There are more expenses than money! Consider sharing the expense of a large holiday meal. Maybe your sister can bring a side dish or dessert. If you have a long gift list consider handmade gifts or using a gift exchange so that your family draws names to each buy one gift. When your attention is on the thought of the gift you create warm holiday memories.
There is a family member who always makes a problem! Evaluate if the problem is abusive or just annoying. You are not obligated to include abusive family members. Sometimes it is helpful to accept annoying family members for exactly who they are and just give them a big hug. Sometimes it works to agree to disagree and decline to argue. If you need to set limits as in strongly held political disagreements, offer to discuss the issues at a different time.
There are miles separating you from family! Loneliness can be difficult during the holidays. Maybe you can organize a zoom meeting, or facetime to be able to actually see your loved ones. Sometimes finding community events, co-workers who are also alone or volunteer activities can help.
There are too many parties that I am expected to attend! You may find that the problem with too many parties is a time issue, too frequent alcohol issue, or too much holiday food issue. Be nice to yourself and place limits on time spent, alcohol consumption, and food serving sizes. Skip gatherings that are not a priority. Holiday exhaustion can be stressful.
If you have addressed the aspects of your holiday plans that cause stress but you continue to feel anxiety or depression then you need to reach out to your health care provider for guidance.
Holiday Stress and the Brain/Harvard Medical School
Nationwide Holiday Poll Reveals Americans are Worried about Contracting Covid, Missing Family Members and Procuring and Affording Gifts
10 Common Holiday Stresses and How to Cope With Them/Psychology Today
Depression Center
Anxiety Center
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/anxiety Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board