When does holiday hustle and bustle amount to too much stress?
Yes- the holidays are meant to be a time of joy and togetherness but for some, they can be a trigger of mental health challenges. Mental and substance use conditions may be exacerbated during the busy holiday season. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness or (NAMI) 64% of people with an existing mental illness say the Holidays will make their conditions worse.
Preparing meals, gift shopping, decorating and hosting family and friends, in addition to our normal responsibilities, can be overwhelming.
General Tips for Managing Holiday Stress
Although stress can seem to be accelerated during the holidays, there are simple steps that people can take to help remain calm, re-focus and enjoy the essence of this time of year.
1. Prioritize your schedule to include some of the activities that you enjoy the most whether that be baking cookies or reading a meditation book.
2. Incorporate others into your activities; this could include asking everyone to bring a dish instead of taking on the burden of cooking a whole dinner, or asking a friend to join you while you shop.
3. Take some time each day to be mindful of your surroundings, such as a walk in the brisk air or enjoying nature.
4. Allow yourself to remain present in the moment and enjoy the here and now. Try not to think ahead or about your “to do list”.
5. Give yourself a break by making time for activities you enjoy that are not related to the holidays.
6. Use Mindfulness practices, meditation, yoga and exercise to relieve stress.
7. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, isolated or sad, do not hesitate to enlist professional help.
