How To Handle Anxiety During Holiday Gatherings
The holidays are right around the corner, and while for many people they are a time of joy, fun, and celebration, there’s no question that they can also be a little overwhelming.
In some cases, they can even cause a lot of anxiety.
Maybe you’re someone who naturally gets anxious when it comes to larger gatherings. Maybe you have strained relationships with family members or friends. Or, you might have a lot of pressure put on you to take care of everything for these gatherings.
Whatever the case, being able to manage your anxiety throughout the holidays will help you be able to relax and enjoy the experience the season is supposed to bring. Let’s cover a few strategies that can help.
Plan And Prepare
Anxiety tends to thrive on the unknowns. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of “what ifs” when it comes to holiday gatherings. So, focus instead on what you can control by planning and preparing as much as possible.
If you’re traveling, create an itinerary for flights, car travel, hotel stays, and everything in between. Make a checklist for everything you need to pack, including IDs, medications, and other essentials. The more prepared you feel, the less likely it will be for the “what ifs” to take over.
If you’re hosting a gathering, the same rules apply. Making lists can be very helpful, and having an organizational system in place can make you feel like you have more control over the situation.
Set Realistic Expectations
It would be great if all of our holiday gatherings ended up looking like a Hallmark movie. But, that’s rarely the case.
One of the best ways to manage your anxiety over the holiday season is to also manage your expectations. Don’t expect things to be perfect. Additionally, if you’re concerned about certain individuals, don’t expect them to behave in ways that aren’t true to their nature.
It’s easy to get worked up when we want more from people and situations than what’s realistic. While you don’t necessarily need to keep your expectations low and assume everything will go wrong, take a step down from the Hallmark pedestal and recognize that it’s okay for things not to be perfect.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care should be something you prioritize all year, but it’s especially important around the holidays. Find ways every day to manage your stress and promote your well-being.
Things like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, meditation, or journaling are all fantastic for stress reduction. They’re also very easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Making sure you’re getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising are all great ways to take care of yourself and feel more relaxed and positive throughout the season. It’s a busy time of year, but if you can carve out time for yourself every day, your mental well-being will benefit.
Focus On Joy
Even if holiday gatherings seem to be stressful, there’s no reason why you can’t experience joyful and relaxing moments. Focus on the things that bring you happiness, comfort, and joy, and prioritize them.
Set boundaries on the things that cause stress — including gatherings. Recognize that it’s okay to say “no” to certain things so you don’t have all of the pressure of multiple events falling on your shoulders. It doesn’t make you rude or disrespectful, it makes you realize that your time and well-being are worth prioritizing.
If you’re still struggling to manage your anxiety during holiday gatherings, don’t hesitate to talk to someone about it. Therapy can help you make it through the season and beyond. You’ll learn more about why you might be feeling so anxious, and more strategies on how to manage your symptoms. Feel free to contact me for more information about anxiety therapy or to set up an appointment soon.
