Overcoming Holiday Blues. (Guest Post)
This article was kindly written by Jennifer Scott as a guest post.
‘Tis supposedly the season to be jolly, but for many people, this rings false. In fact, research indicates that the most wonderful time of the year is actually rife with anxiety for many individuals, which would potentially put a damper on the festivities, straining you mentally and even increasing your risk of heart disease.
Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to ensure that you not only manage stress throughout the season but also live to tell the tale of holiday anxiety.
Know and understand the source.
In order to effectively manage holiday stress, you have to understand it—that is to say, determine exactly what causes it and where it’s coming from. This is because holiday anxiety can come from any number of sources, and more often than not, they can be handled accordingly.
For most, much of this anxiety comes from the prospect of socializing. Family gatherings are often loaded events where drama can erupt at any second, while year-end parties with co-workers can make one feel as if they’re under a microscope. Having to catch up with end-of-the-year deliverables at work is also an inevitable source of stress for many. And some balk at the prospect of travel, while others worry about the expense of gift-giving and dressing up for parties. On top of it all, Psycom notes you could have a bad case of seasonal affective disorder, aptly known as SAD.
While these barely scratch the surface of why so many people experience anxiety during the holidays. The point is, knowing specifically what makes you tick gives you a better chance of successfully addressing it.
Maintain a support system.
No doubt, a solid support system is most needed in the face of holiday anxiety. When you’re facing the prospect of a stressful time with family or the idea of doing holiday shopping is giving you the doldrums, it’s a good idea to have people in your support system on speed dial. It’s a good idea to have an unlimited plan with enough call, data, and text allowances. This way, you stay connected at all times, minus the risk of overage charges on your bill.
Draw boundaries.
If much of your anxiety comes from the idea of too much family togetherness or work-related pressures, then this may be a good time to set boundaries. No doubt, having so many demands and expectations coming at you from all directions can be more than a little overwhelming. But by setting limits—or a clear dividing line, so to speak—you are able to assert your needs and inevitably ensure that your feelings are safeguarded.
Consume mindfully.
The holidays are supposedly a time for eating, drinking, and being merry. Unfortunately, this can be a misnomer for emotional eating and drinking. As a rule of thumb, Cleveland Clinic suggests staying on your eating routine since changes can lead to weight gain.
When you want to enjoy some seasonal goodies, do so in a healthy manner. For instance, instead of heavy, calorie-laden, fattening drinks, load your favorite travel mug with a to-go drink from home. There are healthy coffee, tea, and hot chocolate recipes you can brew, and you’ll save a few bucks while foregoing those fattening beverages.
One effective way of keeping holiday anxiety at bay is by taking healthy supplements. CBD oil, in particular, is known for its holistic calming effects, which makes holiday stress more bearable. The best thing about CBD is while it’s a well-known derivative of the cannabis plant, it has none of THC’s psychoactive effects, eliminating the so-called “high.”
Holiday anxiety is real, but it need not be debilitating at all. Put yourself and your needs first, as well as have the right amount of support and tools in place to prepare you for the onslaught of emotions. This way, you can appreciate the season for what it really is—a celebration of yet another year well-lived