Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? But are you truly listening if the depths of stress overshadow your joys this holiday season? Fall semester has come to an end, graduation set sail for a new chapter, and finals are over. The holidays are right around the corner, but this can mean a dreadful season for some.
The holidays can be lonely, expensive, and overwhelming, which causes major stress. Holiday blues contribute to this stress by attending events, missing a loved one, stewing the past, debt, and other pressures that lead to anxiety. You are not alone.
Here is what experts say you can do to make your holiday season a little more bearable, if not cheery:
- Setting boundaries if family time isn’t fun
- For instance, with the recent presidential election, there is a lot of divisiveness and discord, having to interact with family members leads to opposing beliefs so, which can bring up emotions. Think about it: what kind of contact do you want to have with your family, and how long are you prepared to be around them? It is important to permit yourself to exit the event. If you need some space, go on a walk, run some errands, grab a cup of coffee, or go to a place you feel more safe.
- Connect with others if experiencing grief or loneliness
- Find ways to connect with people, such as volunteering in your community and scheduling calls with people who live across the country. If you are grieving the death of someone close to you, honor that person by visiting their grave site, find people to share those memories with, and let yourself grieve.
- Reach out if finances are making you anxious
- Gifts, decorations, dinners, travel…everything adds up and eventually feels overwhelming. Those extra expenses and get-togethers can put more stress on your mental health. Lean on methods of self-care such as spending time doing something you enjoy, watching a movie, picking up a hobby, picking up a book that has been collecting dust over time, or enhancing your cooking skills. It is important to reach out for help if you start to feel mounting financial anxiety. Reach out to your provider if symptoms rise, call or text 988, or chat at 988Lifeline.org.
- Set realistic expectations
- Remember, your holidays don’t have to be spectacular or look like a Hallmark movie. Texas is still hot, and no signs of snow, only rain and humidity. All jokes aside, permit yourself to do it differently this year. Look at the bigger picture and focus on what is mostly important regarding getting everyone gifts and decorating the house perfectly. Set yourself a reminder that you are spending time with people you love or you don’t see often, have a nice meal with your favorite food with them, and remember it is fine to have a low-key celebration.
Remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
