Combatting Seasonal Stress Over the Holidays
Combatting Seasonal Stress Over the Holidays: Finding Balance Amidst the Festivities
The holiday season is often portrayed as a joyous period – bright lights, festive music, meeting friends, and often quite a bit of indulgence. Yet for many, the holidays are not the most wonderful time of the year – but the most stressful. Between the pressure to create the perfect day, the inevitable rush of last-minute preparations, and financial stressors, it’s easy to feel completely overwhelmed.
Maintaining emotional wellbeing during this season is crucial, and with a few simple strategies, you can manage seasonal stress and enjoy the holidays without compromising your mental health.
Set Boundaries
One of the biggest sources of stress during the holidays is the pressure to meet everyone’s expectations. From attending multiple social gatherings to participating in family events, it’s all too easy to burn yourself out. Setting social and emotional boundaries is crucial to protecting your mental health.
Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. If the thought of attending numerous parties or family events fills you with dread, it’s okay to politely decline or limit the number of engagements you attend. Remember that the holidays are about quality, not quantity, when it comes to socialising. Focus on the gatherings that matter most to you with the people that matter most to you, rather than feeling obligated to be everywhere.
Practice Self-Care
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s essential to carve out time for yourself. Self-care isn’t self-ish: it’s necessary to maintaining our mental health, especially during a busy period. Whether it’s taking a quiet walk, enjoying a warm bath, reading a book, or meditating, make sure to spend some time each day doing something that relaxes and recharges you.
The holidays are often filled with back-to-back activities and socialising, but it’s important to listen to your body and recognise when you need to rest. Allow yourself to take breaks from the festivities, particularly if you’re feeling drained. Prioritising your mental health during this time is not only important for your wellbeing, but it also allows you to be more present and engaged when you’re with others.
Reach Out for Support
The holiday season can be very isolating, especially for those who are grieving, separated from family, or experiencing other personal challenges. If you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Talking to someone you trust -whether it’s a friend, family member, or mental health professional can help to ease the load.
If the barrage of apparent perfection we receive from social media is filling you with anxiety, consider taking a break from online platforms. Sometimes, seeing the carefully curated highlight reels of others’ lives can exacerbate feelings of loneliness or inadequacy. Instead, focus on your own experiences and practice gratitude for what you have.
Stay Active
Physical activity plays a vital role in mental wellbeing, especially during times of high stress. Exercise helps to release endorphins – your body’s natural mood lifters – while reducing stress and anxiety. A walk in nature, a dance to your favourite festive tunes, or a quick yoga session can provide you with a mental and emotional boost.
Incorporating light activity into your daily routine can help manage the effects of stress and improve your sleep, which can often be disrupted during the busy holiday period. Exercise is also a great way to take your mind off worries and bring focus to the present moment.
Let Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a common pitfall of the holidays. Whether it’s the perfect dinner, perfect decorations, or the perfect family gathering, the pressure to deliver can leave us riddled with anxiety – and ultimately not even enjoying the festivities at all.
Embrace mindfulness by focusing on the present moment rather than worrying about every single detail. It’s okay if everything isn’t flawless – what matters most is the connections you make and the memories you create. By accepting that things may not go according to plan, you free yourself from unnecessary stress
The Bottom Line: Prioritise Your Wellbeing
The holidays don’t have to be stressful. By acknowledging the sources of your stress, and taking proactive steps to manage it, you can navigate the Holiday season with more peace and joy.
Remember, it’s not about creating the perfect holiday; it’s about creating meaningful, authentic moments with the people who matter to you most. So, this year, forget about the extraneous details – and focus on what truly makes holidays special for you.
The content of this article is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your doctor or other health care professional.