How to Survive the Holidays with Anxiety
Holiday's can be a time of stress and anxiety for many people. For those who suffer from anxiety disorders, the holidays can be a difficult time. There are however, ways to combat holiday anxiety and enjoy the season. In this article, we will discuss some tips for reducing holiday stress and anxiety.
Have a plan and stick to it
Creating a plan will allow you to create certainty, and when there is certainty you feel much more safe. Include in your plan what you will do if anxiety hits, such as deep breathing exercises, 10 minutes of walking or listening to calming music.
If anxiety starts to creep in, try using mindfulness exercises to calm yourself down. One trick is deep breathing; focusing all of your energy on taking slow breathes for several minutes can make anxiety feel less overwhelming and help you overcome any uncomfortable or anxious emotions that are starting to surface. Even five minutes of breathing exercises can make a huge difference.
Keep your plans simple and make sure you know what you are committing to when you say yes to an invitation. Don't feel like you have to go to every party and event that comes your way this season. If you don't want to go, make sure you say no and give a reason (it is okay to say no and not provide an explanation). Make your priorities list and keep it handy so when someone asks if you can help you know exactly how much time and energy you have to give.
Practice Gratitude
Treat holiday anxiety by focusing on what you have to be thankful for. Take time each day to jot down all the things that are making you happy right now. Keeping a gratitude list can help combat anxiety and create feelings of happiness. If anxiety is really bad, try writing out the negative thought and then countering it with a positive thought.
Set healthy boundaries
Set some simple boundaries for yourself during the holiday season. Saying no can be hard but it is an essential part of taking care of yourself. If someone asks if you can attend an event, get used to saying something like "can I let you know?" to give yourself some time to decide whether you have the energy to give.
Learn to say no. If you feel like you cannot attend an event or function, let your loved ones know as soon as possible so they can plan around it. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather one of strength.
Take some time to yourself these holidays
Self-care is essential to managing anxiety and stress. This includes taking time for yourself to do things that make you happy. During the holiday season, it can be hard to find time for yourself with all of the events and obligations. However, it is important to schedule in at least a little bit of "you time" each day. Actively schedule in 'white space' to your calendar to do the things that refill your fuel tank.
Remember to truly take in all of the little things throughout your day to feel grateful for them. Do not forget about yourself while surrounding yourself with other people this holiday season! Keep boundaries, calmness and self-care at the forefront while you are surrounded by lots of emotions and excitement. Remember that anxiety is tough but it doesn't mean that you are any less worthy of having the best holiday season possible.