Get A Handle on Holiday Stress

1 – Honor Your Feelings

Acknowledge that the holidays can be uncomfortable or difficult and know that your feelings are valid. It’s okay to express how you are feeling with honesty and vulnerability. From sadness to joy, despair to happiness, heartache to triumph, an emotional expression can feel like a relief in times of stress. Be gentle with yourself!

2 – Give Yourself Permission to Not Attend

Allow yourself to say ‘no’ to events or celebrations that you don’t have the emotional bandwidth or conscious to attend. Is there a family gathering that is on the schedule that may not adhere to the current CDC guidelines? Are you feeling guilty about considering NOT to attend? Put yourself first. If you think it’ll be too difficult, and too unsafe to handle, don’t force yourself to attend. Your family and close friends should understand why you are saying no. And if not, you should give yourself permission to talk about it.

3 – Prepare Yourself with Answers to Questions That May Be Difficult

Anticipate questions about your plans for NOT attending as well as any other questions surrounding this different and difficult holiday season. This way, you can come up with an answer you’re comfortable with sharing instead of feeling caught off guard or making things up on the spot. Or worse, feeling that you are a unloving family member.

4 – Give Back to Others

While it’s easy to focus all of your extra time and attention on holiday stress and current state of the world during this Pandemic, consider helping someone in need. Whether it’s volunteering time, money, other resources, or a simple sympathetic ear safely, lifting the spirits of others often brings contentment to our own lives.

5 – Take Care of Yourself

During the holiday season, it’s easy to get into the “go, go, go” mode and put your routine on hold. Maintaining some level of routine will help you feel less overwhelmed. Don’t stop doing the things that help you feel balanced, like working out, getting enough sleep and eating healthy meals. Prioritize yourself by setting an intentional routine. Try new things. Reflect and think about all the things you always wanted to try or complete at home. Start a new breathing practice, cook new meals, commit to daily stretching, watch new documentaries and commit or recommit to being a life-long learner.