More than 3 million people in Canada suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety and stress are often very consistent problems, but they tend to get worse around the holiday season. A psychotherapist is a great way to help you through your holiday season stress, but there are also a few things you can do on your own at home to get you through your winter blues.
But where should you start? Keep reading this holiday season stress guide and learn more about the top 10 things you can do to enjoy a stress and anxiety-free holiday season.
1. Reach Out
Reaching out to your friends and family is very important for getting over your feelings of stress and anxiety. While low-cost therapy or even a therapist intern can get you through your mental health problems, you should never forget the importance of communicating with your friends and family.
Staying silent and keeping to yourself is never the right thing to do even if it is the easiest thing to do. You will find that simply reaching out to your loved ones and talking about your problems can help you quite a lot. This is because it will give you the feeling of being heard and acknowledged.
Talking about your feelings and problems out loud can also give you the chance to see your feelings from a different perspective.
2. Set Aside Differences
Talking to your family can seem complicated if you have many differences between you. These differences are often the source of a lot of anxiety and stress for many people, especially around the holiday season when family members tend to come together. These differences can seem intolerable sometimes, whether those differences have to do with political, religious, or lifestyle views or anything else for that matter.
However, focusing on these differences will not help your stress and anxiety. If anything, it will only make these problems worse. If you set aside your differences and focus more on positive aspects, you will find that you will feel much better and far less stressed.
3. Be Realistic
Of course, there is no such thing as perfect when it comes to holiday gatherings. There very well may be some arguments or disagreements as people with different opinions come together. However, the holiday season doesn't have to be perfect.
Accepting this can allow you to take a huge weight off your shoulders. Instead of worrying about everything turning out perfectly, you should try just going with the flow. Doing this simple thing can produce some remarkable results and can do quite a lot to reduce anxiety.
4. Acknowledge Your Feelings
If you don't acknowledge your anxious feelings, you'll never be able to get beyond them. The first step to feeling better is understanding that what you are feeling is indeed stress and anxiety. Once you identify those feelings, you can start making your way toward treatments and methods that will allow you to get past those feelings.
After all, feeling stressed around the holidays is quite normal. Seeking help for stress and anxiety is also normal, so there is no reason for you to feel ashamed or angry about whatever mental health problems you may have.
5. Learn to Say No
During the holiday season, all sorts of people might be asking for your time. If you have a bunch of friends and family members all vying for your attention or trying to get you involved in dinners, outings, and other events, you might find yourself overwhelmed and extremely stressed. In this case, remember the power of saying no.
Saying no can be hard because you might not want to disappoint your loved ones. However, when your mental health is at stake, it is important to say no when it is appropriate and helpful to your mental health. The simple act of saying no can instantly improve feelings of anxiety and free you of obligations that might only cause you even more stress.
6. Stick to a Budget
Buying gifts for people can also be a very stressful thing to do. After all, buying gifts can be quite expensive. If you don't have the funds to give everyone in your life a gift, this can be a serious root of anxiety.
If you set a budget, you can make this process stress-free. That way, you won't have to worry about spending too much.
7. Don't Forget Healthy Habits
Some people end up forgetting healthy habits during the busy holiday season. Some people may even end up slipping back into bad habits such as smoking or overeating.
For that reason, don't forget to keep up with healthy habits such as following a good diet and exercising.
8. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead can save you a lot of stress as you won't be tangled up in a confusing or nonexistent schedule.
All you need to do is think about when certain things should happen. That way, you can map out your life for the days ahead without any stress.
9. Make Time for Yourself
While the holidays are a time for people to come together, they are also important to remember to take time for yourself. Taking a nap, taking a nice bath, or even listening to music are all good ways to relax on your own time.
Doing this is the key to reducing stress.
10. Seek Professional Help
If your anxiety is serious, consider seeking professional help. A therapist can help you in a variety of ways so you can overcome your problems.
Your Story Counselling Services offers free 15-minute no-obligation consultations as well as full sessions at a low cost.
We also have a full team of experts including psychotherapists, therapist interns, and more.
Overcoming Your Anxiety With a Psychotherapist
There are many things you can do to curb your anxiety such as taking time for yourself, learning to say no, and putting aside your differences. A psychotherapist can also be very helpful.
To learn more, book an appointment with us here.
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