Silent Night, Stressful Night: 4 Ways to Deal with Holiday Anxiety
From White Christmas to Miracle on 34th Street, there's nothing like kicking back and watching a nostalgic movie during the holidays. But while the families in those movies celebrate the season with sublime shows, fancy dinners, and an understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, your holiday season might feel anything but picture perfect.
From family drama to awkward social situations and even gift-giving woes, the holidays can be a breeding ground for stress and anxiety. If you already struggle with keeping your calm, you might even dread the month of December. But there's no reason to hide out and binge-watch while your family celebrates: knowing how to manage your anxiety is the first step to surviving the season-even if it's not Hollywood-perfect.
Manage Your Expectations
It's no wonder you have unrealistic expectations for the holidays: you've seen Love, Actually a hundred times. Unfortunately, in real life, there's not usually choreographed musical number or declarations of love all season long. That's why managing your expectations is such an important part of managing stress during the season. Acknowledging (and even embracing) the fact that not every interaction will be perfect can help you stay calm and enjoy Christmas. Hey, the turkey might burn and your mom might hate her Christmas present, but you're still spending time with your family.
Say No
Every holiday season comes with copious invitations to everything from work lunches to ugly sweater parties. If you struggle with social anxiety, learn the power of simply saying "no" when you don't feel up to it. Instead, choose your top three events and then politely decline the rest to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself. Knowing that you're only attending the most important soirees means you'll have a better time and you'll be less burned out.
Bring a Friend
Not everyone has the ideal relationship with their families. Let's face it: families can be hard. They might say things that trigger your anxiety or pressure you into doing things that make you feel uncomfortable. When in doubt, bring a friend who understands you and your anxiety. That friend can recognize when you're feeling overwhelmed and give you a chance to remove yourself from the situation (and you can return the favor).
Make Time for Yourself
The holiday season centers so much around other people that it can be easy to lose yourself and your healthy habits. Sure, focusing on others is an admirable way to spend the holidays, but not if it means sacrificing your own mental health. Continue seeing your mental health professional and make a point to take an evening or two to do something for yourself, whether it means curling up with your favorite movie or shopping for something you'll love. It's not selfish; it's self-care.
It's normal to feel a little overwhelmed during the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but make sure that don't let a little stress turn into a full-blown bout with anxiety. Taking steps to manage the way you deal with your mental health through December can give you the foundation you need to make it through the season. From White Christmas to Miracle on 34th Street, there's nothing like kicking back and watching a nostalgic movie during the holidays. But while the families in those movies celebrate the season with sublime shows, fancy dinners, and an understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, your holiday season might feel anything but picture perfect.
From family drama to awkward social situations and even gift-giving woes, the holidays can be a breeding ground for stress and anxiety. If you already struggle with keeping your calm, you might even dread the month of December. But there's no reason to hide out and binge-watch while your family celebrates: knowing how to manage your anxiety is the first step to surviving the season-even if it's not Hollywood-perfect.
Jocelyn Aleiadih, LCSW
www.yourlifepathcenter.com