Holiday Stress: How to Find Peace in a Busy Season

Key takeaways

• Five Tips to Keep the Sparkle in your Holiday.

• Discover Happiness During the Holidays

• Find Peace and Joy This Season

• Anxiety Help During The Holidays

• Stress, Anxiety, and the Holidays

• Tips to Brighten the Holiday

Five Tips to Keep the Sparkle in your Holiday

For many of us, this is the time of year that we look forward to the most. In the midst of our daily routine and monotony we dream of snowflakes, glitter, familiar tunes, red suits and twinkle lights. The season, for us, is loaded with celebration, family, delectable food, and a sense of wonder. Oh how we yearn for the festivities of the holiday season throughout the year.

But in the midst of this splendor, the enormity of the season can take us over. There are so many lists to make, presents to buy, so much money to spend, and gatherings to attend that the sparkle of the holiday season can quickly lose its luster. So, we are faced with the dichotomy of the season, the love of the spirit and the drudgery of the “to do” list. As we strive to strike a balance, here are a few suggestions to help keep the sparkle from fading.

Discover Happiness During the Holidays

When you think of the holidays, you likely imagine exchanging gifts, baking cookies, and spending time with family and friends. The season is a joyous one, though the hustle and bustle can also be stressful. But MHCS has some tips to help relieve the tension that many people experience this time of year. Learn ways to cultivate gratitude and discover happiness during the holidays.

Healthy habits are important for maintaining overall well-being all year round. Developing and implementing practical routines is especially important during the holidays, as the familiarity and comfort of a recognized activity can help put your mind and body at ease.

Find Peace and Joy This Season

The start of the holiday season is an exciting time for many. But what brings happiness to some may cause consternation for others. Whether it’s because of too many expectations or general winter blues, emotional struggles during this time of year are common. To help maintain merriment, MHCS offers tips to find peace and joy this season.

One of the biggest reasons to get together with family and friends for the holidays is to eat, right? Sharing a special meal together is a significant social event, and holiday dinners are steeped in tradition. But this year is shaping up to be a little different, and this could cause panic if you’re playing host.

Anxiety Help During The Holidays

It’s always fun to celebrate with friends, family, and coworkers during the season of giving. For many people, however, these cheerful feelings are sometimes mixed with a feeling of sadness or maybe you just can’t get “in the Holiday spirit”. You may have heard the phrase “holiday blues.” It is real. This time of year can have a significant impact on your mental health and wellness—especially if you have a preexisting condition, maybe an anxiety disorder or are struggling with depression.

Why Do the Holidays Create Stress? When December arrives, it not unusual to feel overwhelmed with decorating, shopping, cooking, and attending social gatherings. In fact, your schedule may already be packed until January 1st, and you find yourself struggling to keep up with all the exciting plans you’ve made with others. Perhaps you stress about the financial implications of the holidays or the pressure to continue annual traditions with family members. Or maybe you’re traveling this year — a common trigger for stress — and you’re worried about the flight arriving safely, or perhaps this is the first holiday season after the passing of a loved one or close friend.

Stress, Anxiety, and the Holidays

The holiday season can be a time of joyful celebrations, thoughtful gifts, and family traditions. Homes are filled with beautiful holiday decorations, the delicious aromas of favorite baked goods, and cheerful songs. But the holiday season can also mean long travel delays, crowded stores, financial worries, family disputes, and over scheduling. What is meant to be a festive, peaceful time often becomes hurried, stressful, and unenjoyable. That negative experience may be heightened for people with anxiety. Take some time now to prepare and think about ways to prevent or lessen holiday anxiety.

Make time for exercise. Staying active can improve both your physical and emotional well-being. Pop in a fitness DVD, head to the gym, or go for a walk. A brisk walk around the neighborhood can do wonders for your energy level and mood. Eat healthy foods. Many favorite holiday menu items and treats are rich, sugary, high in fat, or all of the above. Enjoy these tasty selections in moderation, and be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein in your diet. Remember to stay hydrated! Limit alcohol. Consuming alcohol can increase anxiety symptoms. Limit your holiday cocktails or avoid alcohol altogether. Practice Mindfulness Practicing mindfulness is a good idea year round, but can be especially helpful during the holiday season. You’ll be better able to recognize when you’re feeling stressed or anxious.

Tips to Brighten the Holiday

With its hustle and bustle, the holiday season may not always be merry and bright. Between shopping and baking and hosting, this time of year can cause plenty of stress and anxiety. MHCS wants to help curb any pressure with these tips to brighten the holiday. We hope our simple ideas for a more joyous season will help you relax and feel the magic.

Festive, twinkling lights are a sure sign of the holidays. They bring back memories of childhood and can actually make us happy. Looking at holiday lights helps trigger the release of dopamine , a “feel good” chemical messenger released by the brain. So, the joy we get from seeing lighted trees and homes is real.

When to reach out

If symptoms are affecting relationships, work, school, sleep, or daily routines, professional support can help you sort through what is happening and choose a realistic next step.

MHCS provides therapy and mental health support for individuals, couples, families, teens, and adults.