The rush of the holiday season can spark joy and contentment for some. For others, the weeks between Thanksgiving and mid-January bring stress and anxiety front and center. Here are five ways to relieve stress and anxiety around the holidays.
1. Say No.
Don’t be afraid to say no to doing something you don't like to do or will not have time to enjoy. Feeling obligated does not equal actual obligation; you do not have to agree to take on tasks that make you sad or impede your ability to enjoy the season.
2. Take 15
There are 1,440 minutes in a 24 hour period. There is always enough time to do the things you like doing for 15 minutes per day. If you are struggling to know what you enjoy, here are some ideas: stretch, light a candle, eat an orange, walk in your neighborhood, love on your pet, cuddle up with a hot cocoa and soft blanket while thinking about the best moments of your life. Look at a magazine, daydream about a vacation you have taken or plan to take, listen to music, sit in total silence, take a bath, write a couple of cards or letters to people you love and miss, bring a note and plate of cookies to the neighbor that suffered a loss this year, drive to a park and listen to children play and dogs bark, read the funny page of the newspaper. Compliment yourself on something you did that was great this week; even if that great thing was getting out of bed and getting dressed before noon. Whatever it is that makes YOU smile or feel self-love, do it... daily for fifteen minutes. You give so much OF yourself to others, give something TO yourself.
3. Practice Gratitude
Take some time this season to name your blessings. Sometimes it's hard to stop and see life as it is, but to do so helps us create a positive out of a negative; even if only for a moment.
4. Learn To Meditate
Meditation is easier than you may think. Use your favorite search engine to find either a guided meditation or meditation music to experience being in touch with yourself. One app we like is Headspace.
5. Give yourself Space to Grieve
Loss of any kind can cause intense feelings of grief around the holidays. Honor your feelings and allow yourself to cry and grieve. Allow time for the sadness and pain to surface. Feeling and expressing emotional pain is exhausting and you'll need to prioritize rest, hydration, nutrition and sleep after intense painful moments. Seek out a friend or counselor to confide in during these months.
Written by Modena Jenkins, LMSW @ ICT Center