Author: Lea Zweig, Psy.D.

Blog9For many, the holidays are “the most wonderful time of the year;” however, this time of year can also create feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. During the holiday season, there are so many demands from family and friends to plan or attend gatherings, exchange gifts, create a pleasant atmosphere, and the list goes on. These tasks and expectations each come with their own lists of things to do leading us to feel pulled in many different directions. In order to prevent stress from ruining the holidays, take the time to think about where the stress is coming from. Is it the crowds at the mall? Is it your mother-in-law asking you to make the turkey this year? Once you can answer the question of where the stress is coming from, you then might be able to implement some strategies to manage your stress level. Remember that there might be more than one task or situation triggering your stress and there are a variety of ways to manage these triggers.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, there are many tips for how to manage stress, including:

  • Take a time out when you need it.
  • Eat well-balanced meals and don’t skip meals.
  • Limit alcohol and caffeine.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Exercise daily.
  • Take deep breaths.
  • Count to 10 slowly to help you refocus and take on the next task.
  • Do your best.
  • Accept that you cannot control everything.
  • Welcome humor.
  • Maintain a positive attitude.
  • Learn what triggers you.
  • Talk to someone.

Not all of these examples work for everyone. If you feel that none of these examples help you, do not worry. There are many ways to manage stress that cannot all be listed here. You may find that creating a journal, listening to music, or making a list of things that need to get done can help to visualize and organize your thoughts and produce productive actions. It is also helpful to take the time to learn more about yourself and what triggers your stress, anxiety, or depression so you can start to manage those triggers. You can also always reach out to a licensed psychologist or family therapist to get specific feedback and support to help manage those triggers. These ideas can help make the holidays truly feel like “the most wonderful time of the year” without all of the added stress. So, give yourself a gift by taking good care of yourself this holiday season.