The holiday season can bring up a wide range of emotions. Some people feel especially loving and cheerful this time of year as they look forward to holiday parties and time with their loved ones. Others experience the holidays much differently, either feeling lonelier due to a lack of meaningful connections with others or feeling more stressed due to a seemingly never-ending list of obligations. Learn how to get holiday stress under control this year so you can enjoy all the wonderful things the season brings.
If the holidays bring out your inner Scrooge, it might be time to enroll in mental health treatment. Reach out to Hill Country at 1.844.675.1628 to learn about our treatment options and how we can help you start feeling more emotionally balanced, no matter the season.
What Causes Holiday Stress?
Why do some people dread the holidays? There are many reasons a person might feel more stressed, anxious, or depressed when Christmas rolls around. Some possibilities are:
- Added financial pressure – In some families, there is an expectation of exchanging gifts, which can break your budget. Hosting holiday gatherings or traveling to see loved ones can also hike up your expenses.
- Time constraints – Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be difficult enough as it is, but when you add gift shopping, cooking, and traveling to the mix, you are likely to feel a sense of time pressure and overwhelm.
- Unrealistically high expectations – If you tend to struggle with perfectionism, you may put unnecessary pressure on yourself to create the perfect holiday season for you and your loved ones.
- Difficult family dynamics – If you have strained relationships with family members, you may feel anxious about having to see them at holiday gatherings.
- Loneliness – During a time of year that emphasizes togetherness, you might feel especially lonely if you have lost loved ones or cannot see your family for the holidays.
All of these can leave you feeling less than merry, but the good news is that you can disrupt the pattern of anxiety and overwhelm by learning how to manage holiday stress better.
Stress Management Techniques for the Holiday Season
While you may not be able to eliminate stress completely, you can minimize its intensity. Here are some helpful stress management techniques to make your season brighter this year:
Create a Budget
You can address financial worries by creating a holiday budget and sticking to it. Planning ahead and setting aside money each week leading up to the holidays can also help alleviate stress about extra expenses.
Manage Expectations
Many people create time pressure during the holidays by committing to more obligations than they can reasonably handle. Instead of trying to do everything, select the activities and events that are most meaningful to you and politely decline the rest.
Practice Mindfulness
There is no better time to begin a relaxation practice than during the holidays. Try breathing exercises throughout the day or listen to guided meditations to help you come back to the present moment. Keeping a gratitude journal or simply thinking of three things you are grateful for each day can also help you cultivate a calmer, more positive mindset.
Seek Support
Whether you are stressed out, anxious, or lonely, reaching out to others is crucial. If you have too much on your plate during the holidays, you can always ask a loved one to help out. And if you are grieving or dealing with unbearable anxiety or depression, contact a therapist and schedule a session.
Enroll in Mental Health Treatment at Hill Country
The holiday season does not always have to be an annual reminder of your struggles. Instead, learn how to feel calmer, more relaxed, and happier during the holidays by enrolling in mental health treatment at Hill Country. Call us at 1.844.675.1628 or reach out through the online form to get started today.