It’s the most wonderful time of the year… right?
If you find yourself feeling more anxious, irritable, sad, or angry this time of year, you are not alone. In fact, researchers have found that “more people are inclined to feel their stress increases, rather than decreases, around the holidays.” 1
Thankfully, I am one of the lucky people who gets along with all of my extended family members and enjoys our holiday get-togethers. But now that I have children of my own, I feel more and more pressure to make the holidays fun and memorable for them… while also trying to teach them life lessons like gratitude and generosity. And coordinating travel plans, worrying about weather, and trying to keep everyone healthy can quickly put a damper on my holiday spirit.
The approaching holidays can bring up memories of lost loved ones and dread of dealing with people who have hurt you. They might be a bitter reminder of financial problems or regrets over broken or strained relationships. Though we try to make the holidays special for our kids, we also have to remember that they can sense our stress. The holidays might be especially stressful for your kids if you have had major family adjustments this year like a divorce or remarriage.
Make sure you take a few minutes to relax during this busy time of year to reduce some of your stress:
- Exercise
- Listen to relaxing music
- Schedule lunch or coffee with a friend you can vent to about your stress
- Find a way to serve or reach out to others instead of focusing on your own worries
Happy Holidays from Kelly and Janna at Restoration Counseling!
References:
1http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2006/12/holiday-stress.pdf