It’s the Most Wonderful - and Overwhelming - Time of the Year
The holidays hold a different meaning for everyone. My clients struggle with the stressors the holidays can add to the stress we experience on a daily basis. What’s meant to be a time of warmth, happiness, and togetherness can easily turn into loneliness, tension, and overwhelm. You may experience less personal time, spend more money, confront family conflicts, and experience more loneliness with every scroll on our social media feed. You may find yourself fluctuating between moments of joy and exhaustion due to the pressure to be merry and joyful as you keep up with the holiday season. But there are ways to prevent feelings of holiday overwhelm from taking over: build coping skills and prioritize yourself.
Even though you can’t expect your relatives to change, you can shift how you navigate your circumstances while remaining connected with them. That might look like stepping away for a moment when things get heated at the dinner table or doing something special to honor a loved one that is no longer here. The holidays are a great opportunity to define your personal limits and practice assertive communication.
There is no right or wrong way to spend the holidays. Whether or not you choose to engage, remember to check in with yourself and prioritize your needs. Breaking the cycle of discomfort over the holidays means:
Planning ahead
Letting go of the pressure to act a certain way
Reflecting on what’s helped you in the past
Giving yourself more grace and taking breaks as needed
Do more of the things that feel aligned with your values
Lastly, remember that you’re not a burden just because you’re struggling - reach out to those you trust for help if you need it. You are probably not alone in your mixed feelings about this time of year.
Learn more by visiting these popular resources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230
https://parade.com/1304982/kimberlyzapata/stress-relief-tips-holidays/