The holidays bring, what seems to some people, as never-ending events, and social gatherings. Unfortunately, this means symptoms of anxiety can be exasperated, which can lead to problems during the holiday and affect your overall happiness.
Not only can the anxiety ruin the holidays, but it can also make everyday life more difficult. If this sounds like you, realize that there are many things you can do to help relieve your anxiety so that you can enjoy the holidays more.
Don’t Change Your Daily Routine
Don’t change your daily routine just because the holiday season is here. Beyond seeing family more, there is no reason to change it up too much. If you have to change it a little, be sure to include the things that are important to your daily life for you. Don’t skip out on the daily meditation, exercise, or self-care as these the things that are known to reduce stress.
Get Sunlight
Go outside or buy a happy light. Many people experience SAD or seasonal depression during the holidays that can produce anxiety. Sunshine or the happy light, which is a way to get simulated sunlight from a full spectrum UV free 10,000 lux bulb, is also a great way to take a break when you are feeling stressed. Go outside and take a short walk, soak in the sun, or plugin that happy light every day that there is no sunshine.
Be Generous
Holidays are the perfect time to be more generous to others as well as to yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed, pamper yourself with a treat or massage, and treat someone you love while you’re doing it. Offering yourself to others makes you feel good and can lessen the symptoms of anxiety by putting the focus on others.
Set Realistic Expectations
Change your perspective and expectations for the holidays. The more you expect something to happen, the more chances for disappointment that can make your anxiety worse. Free your expectations and even talk with friends and family to make sure you understand their expectations of you. That way, nothing is a big surprise.
If it feels overwhelming, be honest, and tell them. It’s your responsibility to let others know your expectations of them and what is causing you to be unhealthy and full of anxiety. You might even find that your anxiety produced expectations on you that were never there in the first place.
Don’t Strive for Perfection
Perfection doesn’t exist. Don’t strive for it. This will ruin your holidays. Dinnertime, playtime, or certain family events will most likely not go as planned, and this is okay. It is only normal. The more you learn to accept it, the less likely you will disappoint yourself in the end.
There is no reason that you need to permit anxiety to control your life or ruin the joy of the holidays for you or anyone else. Use these tips you’ve just read to relieve your anxiety so that you can enjoy this time of life fully.
