Holidays are a very stressful time for all of us. There are so many things to do and so many people to visit. It can all be a little overwhelming. This time of the year is even more difficult when you already struggle with anxiety. It’s just even more stress piled on top of preexisting stress.
But the holidays don’t have to be unpleasant. There is a better way to live your life. You have to take a few extra steps to get there, but it’s worth it.
Make a Holiday Budget
Money problems can be a big reason behind your anxiety. There’s a lot of pressure around celebrating the right way with the right food and the right activities.
Instead of leaving it all for the last possible second, why not make a budget when the holiday season approaches? It will be much easier to plan your days without checking your bank account every time you purchase. Of course, this means you have to stick to your budget. But as long as you do that, things should be okay.
Plan Ahead
Beyond budgeting, there are a few more things you can plan to make your life easier. Write down the date and time you’ll go to the grocery store. Make sure to specify times when meeting with your family. Set aside a time specifically for cooking or baking for the holidays. If visual reminders help, write it all on paper and stick it on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it often. The better you plan your days, the less stressful you’ll find this holiday season.
Keep your Expectations Realistic
With the holiday season comes the pressure to be perfect. And that’s a heavy burden to bear. It’s very unrealistic too. No one’s holidays are ever perfect. There’s always something that will go wrong, something that will be different to what you imagined. And it’s discouraging, so why stick to those expectations? Why insist on everything being perfect when there’s no such thing?
Things won’t go as planned. That’s a given. So, why not consider that as you go about your day? Keep your expectations realistic. Your holidays won’t be perfect, but they can be good. They can be great, even! But striving for the perfect holiday is dooming yourself from the start.
Take Breaks
Holidays are so busy that it’s hard to find time to be alone and do something you genuinely enjoy. You’re always going to be busy. You’ll go shopping to prepare for the big day, or you’ll cook elaborate meals to impress your guests, or you’ll be going on last-minute outings with your friends. This can be fun, but most importantly, it can be exhausting.
That’s why you should always aim to take time for yourself during these holidays. Start the morning with a quick yoga session, or take a nice evening bath to relax. Take fifteen minutes to sit down and read your favorite book. It doesn’t matter what you do if you take a moment to let go of everything you’re carrying and just be in your own company.
Lean on Others for Help
The holiday season reminds us of one very important thing: we are not alone. If your anxiety becomes too strong, too much to bear, don’t hesitate to reach out to people you trust for help.
And if that isn’t enough, know you can always try counseling. The best way to cope with your anxiety is to get to the bottom of the problem, and that’s what we’re here for.
Reach out to us to learn more about anxiety therapy and how it can help you at any time of the year.