The holidays are a time for family and celebration, but it’s also a time when stress can take over your life. From having to buy presents, to cleaning the house, and making sure you’re at every gathering, the holidays can bring a lot of new, unwanted stress and anxiety into your life.
“The holiday season brings about a lot of busyness and a sense of responsibilities that we are inundated with to fulfill,” said Miranda Bonner, a certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with Med Center Health. “Many people tend to prefer staying home during the colder months, and this can create an internal conflict between what we’d like to do versus what we feel expected to do, which can add to stress and anxiety symptoms.”
Bonner offers these practical steps to help minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays.
Maintain healthy habits
The holidays are notorious for ruining healthy habits. Unexpected trips out of town lead to more fast food and being out of your comfort zone. A short workout each morning can help your decision-making throughout the day, and being mindful of stress-reducing activities can help you feel more like yourself.
“Some good ways to alleviate stress include getting plenty of sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, taking a relaxing bath or shower, taking a walk outside, and meditating or listening to calming music,” said Bonner.
Take a break
These winter months are normally GO, GO, GO and GIVE, GIVE, GIVE, but you can’t forget about your own needs. Take a nap, go for a short walk, read a book, or watch a funny movie.
“If you start to feel overwhelmed, go to a less crowded area, take a break outside, or sit with a close family member or friend,” said Bonner. “You should try to have a plan prepared for each event or gathering you attend, as this can decrease stress.”
Share feelings
For many, the holidays are a time to spend with loved ones they don’t get to see often enough, but for others it’s a time that reminds them of the ones they’ve lost. Spending a holiday after a loss in the family is difficult. Accepting your feelings and opening up about them to others can help.
“The holiday months are also a reminder of loved ones no longer with us, and while this can increase stress, it’s important to reminisce, share, and laugh, reflecting on happy memories which can help bring comfort,” said Bonner.
Be aware of how you’re feeling
The holidays should be a time of happiness and love, but it is easy for it to bring stress and anxiety into your life instead.
“Common signs of stress and anxiety may include feeling overwhelmed, feeling tense, having headaches and fatigue, feeling worried or a sense of dread, crying, being low in energy, or having issues sleeping,” said Bonner.
If you or someone you know is in need of professional help during the holidays, you can visit medcenterhealth.org/psychiatry to learn more about how Med Center Health can assist.
-submitted by Med Center Health
