A contribution by guest blogger Jennifer Scott from http://spiritfinder.org
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
How to Get Through the Holidays with Less Anxiety
The holiday season can be tough for someone who already deals with anxiety on a day to day basis. Here’s some advice on surviving the holidays with your mental health in tact.
Deal with family drama
Although it’s often easier said than done, if you have a dysfunctional relationship with your family, try to forgive and forget. You don’t need to spend this time of year harping on each other or keeping up old feuds. If you are worried about seeing a particular family member, maybe get together with them before the family does so you won’t have as much anxiety about how the interaction goes. Remember to pick your battles, and know when to walk away or leave the room. Try apologizing as the closure that comes with doing so might make you feel better in the end. No matter what, focus on what’s important and why you love your family and the holidays.
Additionally, make sure you have someone you can talk to at every party or family function. This should be a person who will calm you down, not amp you up, and show you understanding. It will also make all of the small talk that’s coming your way that much more bearable.
Be realistic
Have realistic expectations of how happy you can make everyone. Between the shopping, gifts, cooking, cleaning, and decorating, you can’t do everything yourself. Don’t expect perfect and you’ll be happy with the results.
Prepare ahead of time by delegating tasks. Have everyone contribute something special so they all feel included and you only have to do what you enjoy. Create lists as it helps visualize what needs to get done and minimizes the chances of a last minute breakdown. Coming up with a budget will also help in that you won’t be as tempted to overspend.
Don’t be afraid to say no and set boundaries. You don’t have to go to every family function. Pick and choose what is most enjoyable to you and what is the most doable in terms of time. Life Coach recommends, “If someone invites you to something ask yourself, ‘Will this add joy to my life?’ If not, decline.”
Take care of yourself
Don’t look for relief in overindulgent foods and drinks. Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and sticking to a relatively normal routine. If you’re in addiction recovery, have a plan and know what you will say if someone offers you a drink. This way you have something to fall back on and are not triggered into relapsing. If you’re feeling lonely, consider giving back and volunteering during the holidays, or skyping family members that are far away. Make sure you get some fresh air and exercise every once in awhile, and do something for yourself everyday so you don’t lose perspective.
Look at the coming new year as a new opportunity, and don’t beat yourself up about what you have or have not accomplished. Find a healthy way of coping with all of this newfound holiday stress, whether it be dancing, crying, or taking deep breaths. Have fun, and don’t be afraid to embrace new traditions by avoiding the crowds and traffic and ordering everything online. You can also hire out on tasks like catering, gift wrapping and house cleaning to make life much easier.
