As I was driving the other day, I passed a giant sign in someone’s yard that said “44 more sleeps until Christmas”, and in less than 5 seconds I felt my body tense up, had a pit in my stomach and my brain was a rapid-fire of thoughts. “How can this be? It’s only the third week of November. I’m already behind! I haven’t bought the first gift. Is the calendar already full? What do the kids even want? How can I afford that? There are so many people to see- how is this possible? I don’t know if I’m ready for this!!!!!”
Within 5 seconds of seeing someone’s joyful holiday yard decoration, I had worked myself up into an anxious frenzy- and it’s only the beginning of November! There are still SO MANY DAYS till Christmas
But the holidays can do that if we let them. There’s a heavy weight placed on things being a certain way, and a lot of dynamics and expectations to manage. We chase the JOY of the season so much that sometimes we actually miss it. In its place we can easily feel anxiety, sadness, depression, grief and loneliness.
It’s important to take care of yourself in the coming weeks of hustle and bustle and here are some ways to do that.
-Set Boundaries and stick to them
Saying yes to everything will leave you drained and stressed out, and that’s not fun for anyone. Communicate your limits clearly to those around you. It is OK (and necessary) to sometimes say no.
-It doesn’t have to be “perfect”
There is a lot of pressure at Christmas to create incredible experiences and give extraordinary gifts and create magic. But all that expectation can lead to frustration and stress. And is perfect really what anyone wants? Experiences and spending time with those you care about are remembered far more than than an instagram post.
-Create time for yourself
In all of the “doing” and “keeping up with everything” don’t neglect time for yourself. As things get wilder, this gets more important. Make it a priority. Downtime to recharge is necessary if you want to keep going.
-Movement- get active
Moving, even a short walk, is great to clear your mind, get fresh air, get your blood pumping and reset. It also helps you sleep better, which is always a positive.
-Be mindful of your finances
Spending too much money can lead to stress and anxiety. Consider your budget and what can make you comfortable AFTER the holidays as well. It is true that “It’s the thought that counts” not the price tag, so a handwritten note or small, thoughtful gift can go a long way.
-Acknowledge your feelings
The holidays aren’t always cheerful. There are a mixture of feelings that can be happening all at once, like stress, grief, loneliness and sadness, and that’s ok. Don’t push those feelings away- Share with a friend, journal or sit down with a counselor. Give yourself space to process those feelings. You don’t have to be happy all the time.
-Don’t forget sleep
With the gatherings and shopping and wrapping and festivities, sleep gets put on the back burner. But sleep is your greatest defense against holiday stress. Prioritizing your sleep is a giant step toward lessening the overwhelm the season can sometimes bring.
Put taking care of yourself is at the top of your holiday wish list. Setting boundaries with your time & finances, allowing yourself to feel your feelings and processing those emotions, help make the holidays a more enjoyable time for yourself and your family and are great practice for entering into a new year with stronger mental health.
