The holidays are generally regarded as a joyful time of the year; it is a time where friends and family get together, practice traditions, give gifts, eat and just enjoy each other’s company. For some, however, this is also a very stressful time. Strained family dynamics, big crowds at stores, finances and pressure to get into the holiday spirit are just a few reasons why you might feel stressed over the holidays. Add a global pandemic to the mix, and you’ve got a strong cocktail of stressors that can have a big impact on your mental and emotional health. Here are 10 ways you can deal with holiday stress during the pandemic:
1. Connect with others
The pandemic has made connecting with other people a little more difficult. According to CDC guidelines, it’s best not to travel or gather in groups of more than 10 people for safety. That doesn’t mean you have to be isolated from your friends, family, and community; in fact, you should actively try to stay connected. Loneliness and isolation can be such stressors on the mind and body and can lead to depression. Many groups are using online meeting tools to create and maintain a sense of community. Try to find and participate in a group that keeps you connected and relieves stress, such as a book club, support group, or meditation practice group. You could also reach out to your family and friends to start a group of your own.
2. Laugh
Studies have shown that laughing releases endorphins into the body that help to quickly relieve stress. These endorphins send signals to the body that calm the stress response and relax muscles, which almost instantly lifts your mood. So, try to laugh as much as possible this holiday season! If you need some inspiration, put on your favorite funny holiday movie or watch a stand-up comedy special – whatever is sure to bring a smile to your face.
3. Make the most of family time
According to medical professionals, it’s safest to limit holiday gatherings to just the people already living in your household; so, make the most of the time you have together right now. Spend time at home doing fun activities like making crafts, baking cookies, or watching movies together. Eventually, the pandemic will be over and your immediate household members might not be able to spend as much time together, so think of this as a time to connect with each other.
4. Plan ahead
Making a plan and preparing ahead of time will help avoid last minute stressors or anxiety related to giving gifts or making holiday dinner. Make a list of everyone you need to buy for this year, and plan what you’re going to do over the holidays. This plan will allow you to avoid large crowds of other last-minute shoppers and keep you and your family safe during the pandemic.
5. Journaling
Journaling provides you with a private outlet to vent all of your holiday and pandemic stressors. If you have pent up stress, get it all out on paper! If you need some inspiration, there are several journal entry prompts you can find online to help get you started.
6. Exercise
Usually when we start to feel overwhelmed by stress, the first thing we do is drop our healthy habits and give into our indulgent behaviors; with the pandemic, you may also not feel safe going to the gym. Exercise is a healthy form of physical stress that actually allows us to better regulate emotional stressors though; so, keep your body moving this holiday season.
7. Get plenty of sleep
I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve heard this, but it’s worth saying: sleep is essential to maintaining your physical and mental health. When your body hasn’t had enough time to rest and regenerate overnight, it’s difficult to cope with stress and regulate your mood. Make sure you’re not sacrificing sleep over the holidays in order to be able to better manage any stressors that come your way.
8. Practice breathing
Breathing has been shown to calm the body down in stressful situations. Make sure to step away from stressful situations and take time to breathe deeply. Consider making meditation or mindfulness part of your regular routine in order to combat daily stressors.
9. Set boundaries
Are you being pressured to attend in-person events by family? Even not during a pandemic, the holidays may make us feel obligated to spend time with someone who makes you uncomfortable. If you feel pressured or guilted into doing something you don’t feel comfortable doing, your boundaries are likely being pushed or broken. Take the time to evaluate your boundaries by thinking about what makes you feel safe and what makes you stressed or uncomfortable. Practice saying “no” to things that overstep your boundaries and cause you to feel stressed.
10. Get help if you need it
If you’re having difficulty managing stress despite your best efforts, reach out to a mental health professional. Therapists are trained in several therapeutic techniques that can help you explore the cause of your stress. Further, they can teach you coping skills to help you manage stressors not only during the holidays, but throughout the entire year.
Individual Online Therapy in Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, and Utah
At Calming Transformations Counseling, our therapists understand life can be hard and can affect our emotional and mental health. We also serve those with anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship issues, who may be religious. Sessions can be held through online therapy in the states of Florida, Idaho, South Carolina or Utah, or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Book an appointment or contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a more peaceful life.
