Prevent Holiday Stress with These 5 Pro Tips
The holidays are right around the corner, and as you start to make your plans, you may also start to feel that overwhelming stress. As the stress mounts, you may then start to feel dread for the events, instead of excitement. While the holidays can be a magical time of year, your stress may prevent you from fulling enjoying the festivities. As a professional in anxiety therapy, Dr. Phillips recommends a few tips to bust that holiday stress this year.
Express Yourself
Bottling up your emotions can actually lead to larger problems. When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, talk about your emotions. Tell those near you that the situation is becoming too much or give yourself a quick break from the stimulation. The holidays can be full of noise, but it is also okay if you need to get some quiet time too. Make sure that you lean on trusted friends and family to get you through uncomfortable social get-togethers or just to vent after a fight with your family.
Say ‘No’
Let’s face it. You cannot possibly go to every single holiday function without losing some of your sanity. Instead of trying to stretch yourself too thin during the holiday season, pick and choose the events that mean the most to you. Saying ‘no’ to certain invitations can give you the freedom you need to prioritize the right events and truly take care of your personal needs.
Schedule Me Time
While gift giving, decorating, hosting, and attending parties are all enjoyable aspects of the season, make sure that you carve out some time for yourself. When you schedule some me time, you can instead focus on enjoying the holiday season the way you want to. Do you want to watch a movie you’ve had saved for the past month? Go for it. Do you want to sink into the couch with a good book? Make time for these things to keep you grounded through the chaos.
Avoid Negative Self Talk
One of the biggest causes of stress is being too critical of yourself. When you are preparing for the holidays, you may start to question decisions you have made about what to wear, what to gift, and what you are doing. Instead of worrying about all of these things, be kind to yourself. Trust that you have made all the best decisions and surround yourself with those that lift you up. By taking the time to truly enjoy the moment, you can avoid letting negativity get the best of you during this exciting time of year.
Keep It Simple
If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the chaos, it may be time to dial it back a little. Avoid scheduling every single minute of the holiday season. Take time to enjoy the simple moments of the holiday by watching your favorite movie, sitting on the couch and watching the snow fall, or just baking cookies with your family. These simple moments can bring you the most joy, especially when you are feeling stressed by the hustle and bustle.
As you prepare for the holidays, take the time to reduce your stress by practicing these tips. If you are constantly overwhelmed by stress in your life, you may benefit from anxiety therapy. Dr. Phillips at Orlando Thrive Therapy is here to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment and start thriving today!
