In our efforts to cultivate joy during the holidays, we often find ourselves so busy that we barely have the opportunity to truly savor this time of year. Maybe you find yourself feeling harried, stressed, and exhausted throughout the holidays, year after year. Yet you keep repeating the same patterns every time the holiday season rolls around. You hope that somehow, you’ll be able to capture the magic of the season. Perhaps you’ve even begun to dread the holidays because it seems like stress is simply inherent to the end of the year.
But this time around, you can break the pattern. Here’s how to shift your perspective around the holidays so that you can foster true joy while managing stress in a healthy way.
Maintain Realistic Expectations
Every autumn, you might start envisioning your expectations for the holidays. You may picture yourself traveling to see family while somehow managing to attend lots of local gatherings hosted by your friends. In your mind’s eye, your home might be decorated perfectly. You’ll spare no expense for the gifts everyone in your family wants. All of this will go off without a hitch. You’ll even be able to avoid family bickering.
However, every adult knows that deep down, these expectations for the holiday season are unrealistic. It’s these unrealistic expectations that set us up for disappointment every year. Instead, think of how you want to feel this year. You might choose words like “happy,” “peaceful,” or “connected.” Consider what you can prioritize to uphold these feelings instead of planning a holiday season that only looks perfect on the outside.
Determine Your Priorities
Reflect on what you can do to plan for the holidays in a way that honors your emotional needs. You might want to set limits on spending to avoid financial stress, attend a limited number of holiday gatherings, or skip certain decorating tasks. You may even decide that you’d prefer to skip certain traditions that are expensive or highly time-consuming.
Be Mindful of Your Time and Energy Limits
Maybe you’re always the first to volunteer for particular tasks, block off hours each weekend to bake cookies, or offer to host a holiday party for your friend group. This year, think about how much time you can really dedicate to responsibilities like this. You do not have to give up on helping others during the holiday season. But if you’re pressed for time, it’s okay to take a step back.
Delegate Around Your Household
If you find yourself solely responsible for creating most of the holiday magic in your household each year, consider how you could divide up tasks so that you’re not the only one carrying the load. What if you live alone? You may be able to outsource some tasks if it’s within your budget, or ask a friend or two to come over and help out.
Consider Staying Close to Home
Countless people travel every year to spend the holidays with relatives who live far away. If you don’t mind traveling for the holidays, and it doesn’t strain your budget, you do not have to change your plans. But what if you are always responsible for traveling? This may be the year that you can finally reconsider this arrangement. Staying home for the holidays can eliminate a major source of stress. If this is a feasible option for you, it can be a relief.
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If you find yourself so busy during the holidays that it’s difficult to enjoy the season, fill out the contact form on our website or call our office to schedule your first stress or anxiety therapy session with one of our therapists.