The holidays can be a joyful time, offering a chance to reconnect with friends and family. But they can also be stressful. Some people find the holidays a time of isolation and loneliness. Recognize your holiday triggers. Then you can focus on one or two things you can do to help the most to reduce stress.
Set Reasonable Boundaries
It’s common to feel resentment when holiday demands mount up, particularly if you have to tiptoe around tricky family expectations, feel the pressure to spend a fortune on gifts, or too many holiday invitations. Practice setting boundaries around gift exchanges and and holiday commitments.
Tend to Your Diet
You’ll probably find that holiday parties can throw off your usual eating routine, which means that you need to put extra effort into what you eat at the beginning of your day. Focus on eating healthy early on in the day so you can accommodate some of those seasonal sweets!
Breathe
Hit your internal “pause” button and take a few deep breaths. Think about three things you’re grateful for! You’ll instantly feel more positive. Make this a consistent part of your holiday routine. Give yourself holiday “me-time”
Don’t let up on taking care of you. It’s the best gift you can give yourself. Continue to practice those self-care routines you rely on throughout the rest of the year.
Seek Support
Innovia Behavioral Health offers unlimited support groups for a low monthly flat rate and use code DA20 to get 20% off. We also are offering a FREE VIRTUAL HOLIDAY SUPPORT GROUP on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm. Group access code is https://tinyurl.com/uv3wffvw Join us through January 10th!
– Debi Anson LCSW CAADC
