Managing Stress During the Holidays

The holiday season can worsen stress and depression. However, there are a number of healthy ways to approach the busiest time of the year. Be sure to acknowledge your feelings, especially if someone close to you died recently or you will not be able to spend the holidays with family or other loved ones. If you are experiencing loneliness or feeling isolated, try to attend community events, accept social invitations from friends and/or volunteer with a local nonprofit. Do something spiritual, but not necessarily religious, that makes you realize you are part of something larger and allows you to connect to other people, art and/or nature.

Be kind to yourself. Nothing has to be perfect and holiday tasks can be shared with loved ones. Plan ahead so you have enough time for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other festive activities, and make lists of the items you need to reduce trips to the store. Try to spread the holidays over the entire month of December rather than just one or two days, and say “No” if you are feeling overwhelmed. While you are wrapping gifts or writing cards, E-Mails or texts, mentally send a good thought or wish to each recipient.

Establish a budget for buying presents and celebrating. Save money by giving homemade or low cost items. Offer to have a friend over for a home cooked meal or arrange a coffee date. Plan a group present for family members, such as attending an event together in the new year. Consider “thrifted” or “garage sale” presents where each person tries to find the most humorous or creative object. If you are shopping online, increase your gift’s impact by using AmazonSmile. A portion of your purchase will be donated to the charity you specify.

Momentarily set aside differences with family members and try to accept them and your friends as they are. Consider having “Advent Angels.” Draw names from a hat and secretly do something nice each day for the person you received. On December 24th, reveal your identities. Go retro for the holidays by setting up a white elephant gift exchange, organizing an evening of caroling, or stringing popcorn and cranberries for your Christmas tree.

Find a time and place each day to be alone for a few minutes. Try taking a walk at night to stargaze, playing holiday music, reading some of your favorite books from childhood, or watching “Mean Girls” and dancing along to “Jingle Bell Rock.” Maintain your healthy habits like exercising and getting enough sleep.

While the holiday season can be extremely hectic, do not cancel your therapy sessions to make time for other activities. Similarly, learn to recognize your triggers in advance. What everyone truly wants this time of year is a home filled with acceptance and quality time with loved ones and friends. It is possible to find peace and happiness in December.