Stressed, Anxious or Depressed? Find your Holiday Happiness...
The holidays are an exciting time of good cheer, warm family traditions, and spending time with friends. Or, are they?
It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most stressful.
For many people, the idea of entering a crowded room and chatting with coworkers or strangers at a party, running up credit card balances, traveling from home, or attending large family gatherings can produce some anxiety, depression, or both.
Today, I’d like to share why the festive period may be making you extra anxious - and what to do about it.
Before we dive in, lots of you have shared that my tips in last week on ”Gift Ideas and the Spirit of Giving ” were super helpful. If you missed it, you can access it, here.
Okay, let’s take a look at some of the main reasons the holidays may give you anxiety, and how to deal with the stresses of holiday times….
The Most Common Reasons the Holidays Give you Anxiety
The holidays remind you how broke you are:
‘Tis the season to spend money, right? But what if your purse strings are tighter than ever this year? A majority of respondents, 63 percent, agree that the holidays make them anxious or depressed because of money issues. From traveling to see your loved ones to buying gifts, everything comes with a pretty hefty price tag during this season. In fact, according to a 2022 study, the average American spent $998 on holiday gifts in 2021. Curbing that trend and opting for more affordable presents could be the best thing you ever do.
The holidays are overly commercialized:
As if that weren’t enough, the advertising and rhetoric that surrounds this season is painfully commercialized. Banners in every store tell you that you need to make this holiday a “special” one, but what they really mean is that you need to buy more stuff. Rather than focusing on spending money, putting more emphasis on seeing family and loved ones will help to ease the strain.
The holidays remind you that you don’t have anyone to share them with:
The holidays are all about spending quality time with your loved ones, but for some, that’s not an option. According to a survey, 29 percent find that this season reminds them that they don’t have anyone to spend it with. Loneliness is challenging any time of year, but particularly around the holidays, it can feel like the entire world is cozied up by the fire with loved ones. Still, acknowledging your feelings is the first step toward changing your situation.
The holidays remind you of something you’d like to forget:
Whether it’s the death of a loved one or a literal nightmare that happened on Christmas, the holiday season may dredge up tricky memories that we’d rather forget. For 17 percent of those surveyed, that is very much the case. Taking the focus away from that event or problem and, in a sense, distracting yourself may be the best way to go.
The holidays remind you of a person you’d rather forget:
You may be able to push the ghost of your ex out of your mind during the rest of the year, but when the holidays come around, it’s harder than ever. Around 15 percent of respondents find that this season reminds them of someone they would like to forget. If that’s the case for you, consider the best ways you can cope, including what can help you to overcome those feelings. Often enough, it’s about keeping yourself busy rather than dwelling on the past.
They remind you of your past:
There’s something about returning to your hometown after a long period of absence. The people who reside there - old friends and family - may not have seen you in a while. As a result, they see you as they always did; the old you. Should that be a person you don’t particularly like, it can be a challenge. Avoid internalizing their views on you and remind yourself of the person you are now. Only you get to define who that is.
Holiday travel can also trigger anxiety:
People may find overcrowded airports and train stations overwhelming. People with travel-related phobias who must use mass transit may anticipate their trips with dread, and those with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may find a host of new things to worry about while traveling, further interfering with their daily lives.
It's important to remember that avoidance will not help overcome an anxiety problem, and it may even stir up other undesirable feelings or consequences, such as being the only family member absent from Christmas dinner.
Instead of dreading travel, consider it a chance to practice facing your fears. Try these tips, too:
Plan and confirm all details. To decrease your stress level, try to book flights that leave early in the day, when airports tend to be less crowded. Always confirm flight, hotel, and car rental reservations, and allow ample time to pack so you can organize your belongings and bring everything you need, including IDs for security checkpoints and your medications.
Think ahead. Make a list of activities you will engage in while traveling. Prepare for potential anxiety-inducing situations by practicing stress-reducing techniques such as slow, deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Put anxiety-reducing techniques to work. If you have a fear of flying, tell the gate agent or flight attendant when you check in and board. Ask if you can meet the pilot and copilot. Ask them a personal question, such as “Do you have a family?” Seeing that the people flying the plane are “real people” can be comforting. If you are claustrophobic, you may want to request an aisle seat so you can get up and move around should you feel the need.
Help Your Anxious Children
For some children the holidays evoke fear and anxiety. Anxious children tend to be hyperaware of their surroundings. They're always on the lookout for possible threats or risks in new situations such as holiday parties or meeting new people.
I recommend these ideas for reducing children’s holiday anxiety:
Plan ahead. Talk to your child about what makes them anxious during this time of year and come up with ways to minimize that anxiety. Teach them how to initiate a handshake if hugging is unwelcome. Practice ways to say thank you for unwanted gifts or deep-breathing techniques for when you child feels overwhelmed.
Eliminate the unexpected. Tell your child who will be attending an event. If your family will have to travel, explain how you’ll get there.
Create a secret signal that you and your child can use to let you know they need your help without alerting others in the room.
Schedule special family time. Try to find time for your family to play a board game, watch a favorite holiday video, make cookies, or engage in other fun and relaxing activities at home.
Take care of yourself. Your child will pick up on your stress. So try to make sure the entire family eats balanced meals, drinks enough water, exercises, and keeps stressful holiday shopping and other events to a minimum.
How to De-Stress
You can reduce some of your holiday worry and stress. Try these tips:
Take the pressure off yourself. If you set high expectations for yourself and for others at holiday events, you’re more likely to feel let down. Know that some things won’t go exactly as planned - and that’s just fine.
Most people aren’t paying much attention to you. You may feel as if people are focusing on you, but in reality, most people are probably wondering what you are thinking of them. Try making a compliment, which can make others feel good, make you feel good, and reduce some stress.
Identify your specific concerns. Are you afraid you will say the wrong thing or embarrass yourself? Remind yourself that although you may feel uncomfortable, maybe even very uncomfortable, that's the worst that can happen.
Don’t look for relief in alcohol or drugs. Although it can be tempting to “take the edge off” at holiday events, alcohol and drugs can make anxiety worse, and may trigger panic attacks.
Smile, make eye contact, and ask questions. Most people like to talk about themselves and their interests. Ask other people about their holiday plans, what their kids are doing, or what book they’re reading. Avoid religion, politics, and other topics that can lead to heated discussions and add to your stress.
Choose to say no. Try not to overschedule yourself during the holiday season. You don’t have to feel obligated to accept every invitation, and you may want to eliminate some traditions that cause you more stress than joy.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A majority of people agree that the holidays make them anxious or depressed because of money issues. From traveling to see your loved ones to buying gifts, everything comes with a pretty hefty price tag during this season.
Holiday travel can trigger anxiety for adults and children alike; as well as challenging personal relationships. Loneliness, and living in the past are tough situations that many face.
Just over 25% of people surveyed said that the holidays made them anxious and depressed for “other” reasons than the ones mentioned above. In truth, there’s a multitude of things that can trigger people during this season.
Luckily, I shared some tips that help you keep a better Mindset during the holidays. From distracting yourself and keeping busy, to watching TV, cuddling with animals, and exercising - these are all effective coping mechanisms when times get tough. What’s more, taking it easy and allowing yourself some “you time” can also benefit you greatly.
I hope that today’s newsletter has given you some insight to the most common reasons the holidays may give you anxiety; plus some tools in how to deal them. Make sure to watch our social posts this week for tips that you can share with your family and friends 💗
Please know that I appreciate you being part of our wellness family, and accepting your true natural in-born health and wellness. I consider you very much a part of my extended family!
Remember, that the Functional Medicine approach we use here in our offices can offer you clear insight as to your health, nutrition, and healing options.
Feel free to come talk to us if you are having doubts or questions about your family’s health. We will give you the honest truth, and the clinical research that supports it.
Remember, the (5) Essentials we talk about at Ferguson Life Health Centers are…
Mindset
Nerve Supply
Nutrition
Exercise
Minimizing Toxins
There are NO LIMITS of what you can create, you are POWERFUL and there is nothing that you can not have or achieve! Believe in your power, believe in yourself and let go of what no longer serves you! ♡ Design your life, Create your reality…
This is life changing!
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