Holidays got you Stressed? You’re not alone. (Tips to help deal)

As we head into the heart of holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how tough it can be for many people. This time of the year that most associate with loving family, snowball fights, home cooked meals, presents and togetherness can be anxiety provoking for many people.

This can be for several reasons..

Depression-

You may be dealing with Chronic Depression. Which can only be made worse during the winter season, as the Sun checks out of our daily lives for a few months.

Anxiety-

You may have anxiety that can be made worse when dealing with certain family situations, as not all of us were blessed with “loving” families.

Or maybe it’s the thought of having to put together the whole holiday spread…

-Do the Shopping for presents and food.

-Do I send out Christmas cards this year?

-Invite the family (don’t forget anyone)

-Wrap the presents for the whole family.

-Clean and decorate the house.

-Cook the awe-inspiring spread

-Mentally prepare for those inevitable comments from critical family members (No your turkey dry, she just needs to drink more water)

-Make sure everyone is having a good time.

-Clean up the aftermath and put the decorations away.

No Stress at all right?!

Grief–

Or perhaps you are dealing with grief from the loss of a loved one. Holidays can be the hardest time to go through when we are missing those we have loved and lost. If you are feeling stressed during the holidays because of this. Please know that this is completely normal. There is no set time frame in which you are supposed to “get over it.”

I believe that if we truly loved someone and shared a bond with them, there is no “getting over it.” Our grief just slowly transitions over time into a beautiful remembrance. The waves of grief will still continue over the years, but they become fewer and far gentler, than rolling tidal waves that seemed to pummel us before.

So what can be done?

First and foremost, I want to take a moment to put it out there that if you are struggling with your emotions, feeling down, depressed, or hopeless during at any point. It’s ALWAYS a great time to talk to your PCP and know that there are options out there for you. They can refer you to a therapist or psychiatrist who can help.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to them, I would recommend a family member, friend, or a pastor. If that still does not sound appealing. Luckily, now there are a myriad of mental health related apps and services now that can help connect us with counselors, almost instantly, to help us through these times.

Two of the top Mental Health Online services/apps are …

Online-Therapy.com–

The most complete online therapy toolbox there is

• – Individual (Therapy for me)
• – Couples Therapy (Therapy for us)
• – 1 live session à 45 min/week (video, voice or text)
• – Unlimited messaging
• – 8 section CBT program, incl. 25 worksheets
• – Daily worksheet replies Mon-Fri
• – Yoga & meditation videos, journal, activity plan & tests
• – Change therapists with a click of a button
• – Therapy on a secure & confidential platform

I really like this company and the fact that their first month is 20% off is pretty nice. So you can try them out to see if it’s for you.

TalkSpace-

Talkspace is similar to Online Therapy, in that it connects users with professional licensed therapists via mobile devices or on the web. Customers can contact their therapist through text, audio messaging, or video without having to wait for their next appointment. They even participate with certain insurance companies. They offer individual, couples, teens, and psychiatry services.

There are absolutely amazing services and I highly recommend them to anyone.

And NO!

Not everyone gets put on medications. Some people don’t need them at all. They may just need help clarifying strong and tough emotions. They may simply need to be educated and empowered with tools and tips that they can keep and use when they feel the dreaded anxiety snowball rising. (Trust me, I know it all too well)

Sometimes it’s just a non-judgemental unbiased third party to simply sit and listen. (Who doesn’t feel better after venting?)

And this does NOT make you weak, or “crazy!”

EVERYONE at some point in their lives has dealt with something similar to this. Everyone has had a moment in which they had that notion that they may need “help.” And anyone who tells you differently is probably not being honest with themselves, or just hasn’t lived enough yet.

Give yourself some Grace.

Now that we got that out of the way…

What are some simple things that you can do at home to help deal?

Don’t let it all begin to overwhelm you.

Make a list of what needs to get done.

Get it out of your head and onto the paper.

There is something so wonderful, and almost therapeutic, about being able to cross things off.

1. Acknowledge that you are not a superhero (sorry)- ask for help.
   • Whether this is professional.
   • Or simply asking your significant other to take the grocery list to the store to get some things for you. Yes. This does require letting go of some of the reigns. And if you do this you will need to keep your phone on you as they will inevitably call with questions and clarifications.
2. Take some time for Self-care
   • Take a minute to do something for you that makes your heart happy.
   • Get your nails done.
   • Sit with a nice cup of coffee and take in the sunrise.
   • Take 30 minutes and read a book.
   • Get your butt to the Gym- a good sweat session will do you good.
     • The dishes will be there
     • The Laundry will be there
     • Your sanity will not
3. Take some time for Prayer/ Meditation
   • There is something so centering about prayer and meditation.
4. Gratitude
   • Find at least three things to be grateful for every morning before you leave your bed.
   • Every time you feel yourself starting to get down or frustrated, pause and think of 3 things that you are grateful for. It can help to shift your energy and focus.
   • Life isn’t perfect and neither are we, but even in the darkest of times we can all find

What do you do to help diffuse your holiday stress?

Please feel free to comment below, you never know it may help someone else 🙂

May your holidays be filled with love and peace and kindness my friend…