The “happy holiday” season is often filled with unwanted stress and pressure.
One year, I recall confessing to my best friend, “I wish I could just fall sleep on Halloween and wake up on my birthday in early January.”
While this time of year can be an opportunity for deeper self-love and generosity towards others, it can also be a stressful experience with financial pressures, family and work obligations, and an over scheduled social calendar.
Stress can ruin your health and your holidays and prevention is the best medicine. Plan ahead and create the holiday experience that you really want for yourself this year.
Make a goal and set the tone for what you would like to experience. Focus on and participate in what makes the holidays special for you, or perhaps choose to enjoy not participating this year. Plan ahead and be clear about what is important to you.
Practice extreme self-care. Engage in activities that reduce stress, clear your mind, and move your body. Get a massage, take a yoga class, enjoy naps, watch funny movies, read something uplifting, or spend time in nature.
Slow down. There tends to be a rushed energy during the holidays. Even if you don’t partake in too many activities, you may still feel the hectic energy around you. Consciously allow extra time for travel, choose to breathe and slow down to a pace that is right for you. Play your favorite music or spend time in silence. Practice mindfulness.
Acknowledge and honor how you are feeling. Admit if you are feeling tired, overwhelmed, sad, stressed, or angry. Be sweet to yourself and decide what you need. Let someone know and ask for a hug or for help if you need it. Reach out if you feel lonely and say, “no” if you are already overwhelmed.
Set clear and consistent boundaries. Be clear with yourself about what you need and ask for it. Let go of guilt or pressure. Remember that healthy relationships have healthy boundaries. Be realistic and be clear about what you need and what works for you. Not only is it your right but it is your responsibility to take care of yourself in this way.
Try to set aside differences. Sometimes not having a relationship with someone can be an act of nurturance and sometimes it can help to just accept family members and friends as they are, even if they disappoint you. Forgive others for not being what you want them to be. Love, acceptance and forgiveness are some of the greatest gifts of all.
Stick to your healthy habits. Take care of your body mind and spirit. Eat wisely, and get the right amount of sleep and physical activity. Remember: alcohol, caffeine. sugar, and starch create inflammation in the brain and body which increase the experience of stress.
Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling sad or anxious, having many physical complaints, unable to sleep, being irritable, feeling hopeless, and unable to face your daily routine. Don’t try to go it alone.
