What comes to mind when you think of Christmas and the holiday season?
For most people, it is a time of joy and celebration, spending time with family, and getting gifts. But, for more and more people, this time of year brings up overwhelming stress, anxiety and depression.
Why is that?
Having to buy gifts, having to put up the Christmas tree and lights, having to mail cards and gifts on time, and a lot of other “haves to” can make one to feel “trapped.” Spending money, especially when a family already struggles financially, can generate a lot more debt and stress in a family. Consider that about a third of the gifts bought during Christmas will be thrown away within a couple of months.
Being around and eating more “sugary” treats, consuming more alcohol, and being less active can all lead to making you feel tired and physically fatigued. Alcohol can disrupt your quality of sleep which can make you more irritable. And seeing that your clothes feel tighter due to extra weight gain can be frustrated and depressing.
Trying to fulfill social obligations or trying to have the “perfect” family reunion can bring resentment and disappointment. Having to face uncomfortable situations or family conflicts can drain anyone emotionally. Unrealistic expectations are just that…unrealistic.
Being alone or feeling alone after the loss of a loved one can be very painful. Memories of the deceased keep “popping up” bringing nostalgia, sadness, and emotional numbness. People might feel guilty to get in the spirit of the holidays and might become withdrawn.
So, are you one of the persons who wishes for the holidays to be over with as soon as possible, and if so, what can you do to cope with the holiday stress?
These are some suggestions that you might find helpful:
1. Take a deep breath…learning how to breathe using the diaphragm can help with relaxation.
2. Get plenty of rest and sleep
3. Eat and drink alcohol in moderation
4. Drink plenty of fluids
5. Continue (or begin) to be physically active
6. Create a budget and stick with it
7. Be realistic when making lists about commitments and expectations
8. Set achievable goals for this holiday season and delegate some tasks
9. Spend more time with people who have a positive effect on you
10. Spend less time with “negative” people
11. Know that your time and energy are “priceless” gifts
12. Consider volunteering your time at a non-profit organization or visit a nursing home to (re-) discover the spirit of giving for the holidays
13. Be thankful and focus on the things you DO have (vs. the things you don’t have)
14. Live for the present
15. Acknowledge your feelings if you have lost loved ones
16. Get professional help if you stay depressed, with loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy, lasting for more than 2 weeks, as that could be due to clinical depression. During this time, other symptoms might also include changes in your sleep and appetite, feeling tired, having difficulty focusing on things or thinking clearly, feeling agitated or anxious, having inappropriate feelings of guilt, having excessive crying spells, and even thoughts of harming yourself. If you do have thoughts of suicide, please ask for help immediately.
I’m sure you probably have your own way of coping with holiday stress. If so, and you would like to share it, please add a comment below.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!
