The holiday season is almost here! Pretty soon we will start seeing Christmas lights, hearing festive music, and holiday cheer will be everywhere! Tis the season to be jolly – right? Well, that’s not quite the case for everyone. Unfortunately, the holidays can be a time of loneliness, anxiety and sadness for many people. How can this be?
There are many reasons why people may feel down during the holidays. They may be reminded of lost loved ones, financial resources may be limited and if one doesn’t have a significant other they may feel very lonely.
In addition, many people are affected by the loss of sunlight in the winter months. This phenomenon even has a name: seasonal affective disorder or SAD. You can learn more about SAD and its implications on WebMD.
Here are some common triggers for holiday stress and a few tips for coping with them.
Over-committing: Remember the word no. This is a powerful word that you shouldn’t feel guilty about using. You don’t have to give a reason for declining a holiday invitation. Most people understand, as they realize this is such a busy time of year. Also, if you’ve obligated yourself to something, don’t be afraid to ask for help. For example, ask somebody to bring a dish to pass.
Financial Worries: Remember that money is not what shows how much you care. People always appreciate thoughtful notes or homemade gifts. Also, remember these tips:
-
When shopping, create a budget early and stick to it.
-
Research gifts online to avoid impulse buys when out shopping.
Unrealistic Expectations: Don’t try to make everything perfect for the holidays. If you do this, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. So this year, do your best to ditch perfectionism. For example, if you don’t have time to bake cookies for your daughter’s classmates, there’s nothing wrong with buying them from the store.
Breaking Healthy Habits: So you had way too many Christmas cookies. It’s okay! Don’t let a one-time holiday overindulgence ruin long-term health goals you’ve been working on. Remember that tomorrow is always a new day!
I hope these suggestions help you beat the blues this holiday season. Remember that another powerful tool is to keep a positive attitude! When I’m feeling down, I remind myself of all the things in my life I’m thankful for. Do you have any tips or ideas for staying positive during the holidays? If so, please share!
Related Posts:
A Crash Course in Stress Management
Subscribe to Groupie Blog to receive free updates on the latest health and wellness posts in your feed reader or e-mail!
3