THE BRIGHT SIDE
Many people feel overwhelmed and stressed during the holiday season, which is perfectly normal.
There are a variety of reasons why your days may not be merry and bright around the holiday season. It can be the jam-packed social calendar, deadlines at work, the loss of a loved one, sunless winter days, or all of the above. Many people have stated that their stress increases during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. The reasons given include lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of individuals living with a mental illness felt that their symptoms increased during the holidays. There are ways in which we can prepare ourselves and hopefully deflect some of the increased stress of the holidays. Being surrounded by cheeriness can be difficult when you don’t feel the same level of enthusiasm as others. The pressure to be social, happy, and present can make it difficult to speak up if you feel otherwise. Not everyone feels the same way about the holidays nor finds the season as magical as others.
We all have our personal history with holidays. We dream about the ways the holidays are supposed to be, which can be a dangerous perspective. We get caught up in wanting to do it all, but we can aim to set more realistic expectations for ourselves and others. Accept your limitations and be patient with others too. Prioritize the most important activities. Make a schedule of when you will do your shopping, baking, and cleaning but be sure to schedule time to take care of yourself also. We can feel stressed about spending on a strained budget or trying to find just the right gift. Giving to others is not about spending money. Consider how much money you can comfortably spend and stick to the amount.
You can also give the gift of helping a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or a stranger. It’s the act of giving that is more important than a present.
