Holiday Stress and Anxiety Busting Tips

Why is it that the time of the year that is supposed to be the most joyful is more often fraught with stress and anxiety? Even the coolest cucumbers can experience stress, and the anxiety that goes along with it, when the holiday season rolls around. It is no wonder with all of the shopping, and cooking, and making, and baking, that we all don’t go insane long before we ring in the New Year. As and R.N., I am not immune, and to my knowledge, there is no vaccine to combat holiday stress and anxiety yet, so here are some sound and sensible stress busting tips to help you through this holiday season.

1. Keep to Your Regular Routine

That means getting up and going to bed at the same time that you do when you’re not in a tizzy over all of the gifts that still need to be wrapped, or cards mailed. It also means eating regular meals and snacks, and sticking to any exercise routines that you may have in place. When you do eat, choose healthy foods, and drink lots of water, which increases brain function and helps lower anxiety. Lack of sleep, eating too many goodies, and lack of exercise will all contribute to stress and anxiety. So, take good physical care of yourself.

2. Don’t “Over-Anything”

Don’t eat too much, enjoy too many holiday spirits, or plan too many parties, or other extra activities. There are some things that we cannot skip, like the school holiday program, but we can say no to a party or two, a cookie platter set out at work, or an offer to have just one more glasses of Grandma’s extra special eggnog. We can also say no to overdoing decorating, shopping, and most especially spending. Whatever you do too much of will end up as guilt in the end, be it guilt for eating too much, spending too much, or for not using good judgment, and guilt triples those feelings of stress and anxiety. Remember that just enough is good enough.

3. Schedule Regular Anxiety Reducing Activities

I know that you are already pressed for time, but if you are feeling stressed and anxious, your efficiency is going to go way down, so schedule something just for you that is some form of self care. What that will be will differ from person to person, but some good ideas include taking a yoga class, getting a massage, having a manicure and pedicure, or if you are feeling terribly anxious, booking a visit with a counselor. Each of these suggestions will cost you about an hour worth time, but the pay off in how you function and feel will be immeasurable. If these options are too expensive, talk a walk, a hot bath, or go to a coffee shop and read for an hour.

4. Make Lists and Start Early

It may be too late for this year, but start your shopping and cooking early. Three years ago in September, I decided that I was not going to wait until the last minute to shop for Christmas, and began asking my 6 older kids questions about potential gifts. I got the same response from all of them, “Mom, it’s only September. Are you okay?” I assured them I was fine, but apparently they didn’t believe me, so I got an email from my ex-husband to get confirmation from me that I was not dying, just planning ahead. My family has adjusted to my new habits, and the stress anxiety I now have at Christmas time is more than manageable, because my shopping has been done for months.

Also, make lists for everything. I hate making lists because I like to think that I can hold everything in my brain. Well, my brain gets tired and then I forget things which leads to extra trips hither and yon, and seriously increases my anxiety. So, to increase my effectiveness, and to give my poor brain a break, I make lists of what to do and what to buy. I spend less time and less money, and I am in and out of where ever I am going much faster, which is a life saver that reduces anxiety quickly for me.

These are my tips for a peaceful, enjoyable, and sane holiday experience. Now, go out there, lists and water bottle in hand, and have a happy, anxiety free holiday season!


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