“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.” –Maya Angelou
The holiday season can be filled with joy, happiness, and celebration. However, it can also be a time of stress, grief, and anxiety for many people. As much as we may love gathering, it doesn't mean that all gatherings are stress-free. If you find yourself struggling to survive during the holidays, here are some tips that can help you enjoy this festive season to the fullest.
Firstly, stick to a budget. One of the main reasons people experience stress during the holidays is because they overspend. Plan your budget ahead of time and stick to it. Consider making homemade gifts, which can be both thoughtful and cost-effective.
Secondly, prioritize self-care. With all of the hustle and bustle of the season, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. Make sure to prioritize your physical and mental health by eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest. Additionally, take time for yourself to do things that you enjoy, whether it's reading a book or taking a relaxing bath.
Next, don't be afraid to say NO. The holiday season is often filled with social events and obligations, but it's important to remember that it's okay to say no to invitations or commitments that don't bring you joy. Prioritize the events that are most important to you and don't feel guilty about declining others.
Lastly, create a self-care survival kit to help get through the holidays. This can be a small bag or additions to the purse you already carry that encourage self-care and self-regulation. Make sure before the holidays you work with your therapist to come up with a coping tools list specific to the holidays to add to this kit. Examples of things for your self-care survival kit could be: a list of your top coping tools, a healthy snack, essential oils, fidget toys, noise cancelling headphones/earbuds, coloring book, journal, a travel size container for your prescription medications, etc…
Pull out any of these coping items during times of distress and practice your coping tools!
By following these tips, you can help the holiday season be less of a stress-filled season. Remember to prioritize self-care, stick to a budget, plan ahead with a holiday survival kit, and don't be afraid to say no.
Have a Warm and Comforting Holidays from Anna at Alpenglow Therapy!
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” –Mother Theresa
