Shrink Holiday Stress—Tips From A Maryland Therapist

Keep your own light bright with these holiday stress tips from a Maryland therapist.

The holidays can be a challenging time for a lot of people. Changes in routines, social events, gifts, traveling or hosting, and family gatherings can bring both excitement and stress. Make the most of the season with these tips for reducing holiday stress.

1. Pick Your Big "YES!" and Schedule It

Before things get really hectic, think about one thing that is really important to you during the holidays and brings you enjoyment. Then put that in your holiday plans first before making all the other plans. There is so much going on that it can be easy to get swept away with just trying to keep up with everyone's plans and needs and we find that we didn't get to do the one thing that brings us joy. This can be especially true for a lot of mothers. Whether it's driving around to see the light displays, enjoying a seasonal treat or a certain movie that you love to watch, make it a priority and put it on the calendar. There are no "leftovers" when it comes to time during the holiday season so don't just wait to fill it in when you have extra time.

2. Check Expectations

Part of what can be so stressful about the holidays is feeling like you need to live up to certain expectations about the season--that you should feel a certain way or have certain kinds of experiences or that you are responsible for the enjoyment of others. Use critical thinking. Where did these ideas come from--your family, advertisers, social media? Try to sift out what's true to you and what you can let go of that comes from others. Most of us feel best when our outer behaviors line up with our inner values. If we act from our own values, instead of outside expectations, we can reduce unnecessary stress and find a more authentic experience for ourselves. We are multifaceted beings so it’s understandable that we may have a real mix of feelings and experiences around the holidays. Use some self-compassion to make room for accepting the full range of experiences that make us human.

3. Strategic Structure

Another thing can be so stressful about the holiday season is that a lot of our routines get tossed out the window temporarily due to all the special events and changes in schedules. While this novelty can be fun, it can also throw us off because our routines can help keep up steady and functioning well. You can still leave room for novelty and holiday fun, but think about the routines and structures that are most supportive of your physical and mental well-being and make sure to adapt them for your needs in the season. Special holiday events may mean that you don't make it to your usual exercise class, but can you make it a point to get some physical activity in another way that week? Festive food and drinks may be a delicious treat but leave you feeling a bit off in your body. Can you commit to steady nourishment at other times of the day or week--like making sure breakfast is giving you the fuel you need?

4. Prioritize Sleep

There are no substitutes for the basics of self-care: hydration, nutrition, connection with others, movement and sleep. When sleep suffers, everything suffers--our mood, our functioning, the way our bodies work. Our sleep can be thrown off by a multitude of things during the holiday season--staying away from home, staying up later than usual for special events, nighttime events, changes in what we eat and drink in the evenings. With all of these challenges, this is an important time for cleaning up our sleep hygiene as much as possible. Have a wind down routine before bed that keeps your eyes away from the blue light of screens and signals to your brain that it's time to wind down. Watch your alcohol use in the evenings since that can negatively impact restful sleep throughout the night. Bring things from home that help you sleep better when you have to be away--maybe even your own pillow if you have room for it. Protect your sleep time as much as possible on a regular basis so you have a bit of a buffer for the times when it's inevitably going to be thrown off (Christmas morning if you have little kids, New Year's, the weekend of a big holiday bash).

This Too Shall Pass

The holiday season is temporary.  While it can be stressful, there are also delights to be savored during this time of year.  Lean in to what is available and take extra good care of yourself to enjoy it the best you can.   .

A free consultation With a Maryland Therapist, Online or in College Park.

If you are looking for support in finding your way through some challenging times, please reach out. I see folks for therapy in College Park, MD and online throughout Maryland. You can explore more information about my services as a Maryland therapist throughout the website.