The holidays are a great time to connect with family and friends, relaxing and strengthening ties. There are also extra pressures that can cause stress and frustration.
The trigger could be money, “How can I afford this gift?”; family relationships, “Not another family meal hearing Uncle Ned’s medical history!”; or still painful grieving, “We always held the holiday get togethers at Grandma’s; it just won’t be the same without her!”
A Holiday Headache
According to Psychology Today, “Recent research suggests that women are more vulnerable to holiday stress, and they may be less likely to take the necessary steps to manage it.”
Some of the factors that can cause the “holiday blues” are: unrealistic expectations, fatigue, financial constraints, over-commercialization, stress, and not being able to see family and friends says Mental Health America. Their Factsheet: Holiday Depression and Stress lists 10 strategies that can help you banish holiday stress. I want to highlight four strategies to jumpstart your planning for a relaxing, stress-free holiday season.
1. Keep expectations manageable. You can’t do everything, but you can do what is most important to you. Prioritize and plan realistic goals and activities. Organize your time and pace yourself.
2. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Do not put the pressure on yourself to make the perfect day happen (Thanksgiving), it is a holiday season. Spread out activities and family commitments to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.
3. Do something for someone else. Take the emphasis off getting and put more emphasis on giving. Volunteer your time to help someone less fortunate. The double benefit is seeing that your situation is minor, and feeling that you have made a difference in that person’s life.
4. Take care of yourself! Try to eat well, get the sleep you need, and limit alcohol consumption (a depressant.) Be sure to schedule down time to recharge your batteries. Give others the chance to share in holiday preparations. All will benefit as the team activities strengthen your relationships.
A little planning and a healthy dose of realistic thinking will go a long way in making sure you avoid the stress and frustration that so many of us heap on ourselves!
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