The holidays are filled with fun, family togetherness, wonderful meals, and more — or at least that’s the idealized image we’ve seen.
Too often, unfortunately, the holidays are stressful due to too many obligations, family tensions, and pressure to spend money on that “perfect gift.”
How to keep your sanity this year? With smart strategies, you can enjoy the holiday season rather than dread it.
At In Touch Counseling, Janelle Adams, MA, LMFT, ATR, can help you navigate the holidays with confidence, manage family gatherings, and take control of your to-do list, among other areas.
Despite the idealized portrait of the holidays we see so often, it’s actually a time when feelings of anxiety, depression, and grief can come up. It may be the first holiday season after the loss of a loved one, or perhaps once the family gets together, everyone reverts to their roles from decades ago.
In a study by the American Psychological Association, a whopping 89% of people aren’t “feeling it” when it comes to the holiday spirit.
Whatever the stresses you deal with during the holiday season, we can help you ensure that this year, things will be different.
What are the ways the holidays can stress you out? Let us count the ways:
This list is just a sampling of holiday pressures, and we’re sure you can think of more.
It might seem overwhelming to contemplate all the competing responsibilities that turning out a great holiday seems to require, but you can flip the script if you decide that’s what you truly want.
Speaking with Janelle about a new approach to the holidays is a great start, allowing you to address your specific triggers, from the tension with your sister-in-law to the pressure from your boss to attend the office holiday party.
Additionally, you can take steps on your own to reduce the pressure on your holidays.
We’ve put together five top tips to make your holidays not just more manageable, but more joyful.
Before the holidays, consider ways to reduce stress by thinking creatively.
For example, think about staying home for the “big” holidays and traveling to visit family and friends at other times of the year.
The same goes for established holiday “traditions.” Just because you’ve attended The Nutcracker for the last five years doesn’t mean you can’t suggest a different plan, or simply opt out this year.
Sit down with your family and decide which festivities and performances are must-dos because you all truly love them, and ditch the rest.
A more open calendar will reduce your anxiety and open up room for spontaneity and fun.
Setting good boundaries can transform your holidays.
If you don’t overcommit to cooking and hosting events, you have more moments to breathe. Let someone else host the big dinner and just bring a side dish, or establish a "leave by” time before you attend a party.
The holidays can disrupt our routines, but the more you can continue to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep, the better your health and outlook will be.
The same holds true for alcohol consumption. Rather than ending up hungover after a party, enjoy an adult beverage, but after that, opt for sparkling water or another nonalcoholic option.
One of the most dreaded things about the holidays is disagreements with family over countless things, from long-held grudges to how your uncle carves the turkey.
Paving the way for calmer holidays means letting go of the need to be “right,” skillfully changing the subject if politics or another contentious topic arises, and simply leaving the room if things become too heated.
Remember, you’re in charge of you this holiday season, so you have the power to exit a conversation when you can feel it bringing you down.
Adopting these habits will enable you to enjoy the holidays this year even more. In other words, you can experience them as they were designed to be — fun, warm, and connecting!
Contact our Camas office at 360-953-8740 to schedule an appointment with Janelle, or use our convenient online booking tool.
