National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month is Possible (with Some Planning)
December is National Stress-Free Family Month
It’s that time of year again! December is a time for giving, joy, and, oh yeah, stress, but it can be a national stress-free family holidays month The holidays are filled with social obligations, pressures, shopping, and financial strain as much as they are filled with cookies, songs, and cheer. Some reasons you may find this time of year difficult include the following:
- All the pressure! From hosting a dinner party to having the “perfect”-looking family outfits for photos to finding the perfect gifts for everybody on your list, the month of December can fill your calendar and your to-do list with events, obligations, and chores
- Social obligations, parties, and festivities are taking up all your time, throwing off your normal healthy routines, and interrupting your life in ways that can make it hard to feel like yourself
- You may need to deal with complicated family dynamics, putting up with that uncle who constantly brings politics into every conversation, or spending time with a relative who knows how to push your buttons.
- Money trouble. Whether you accidentally overspend on your gift list or feel pressured to donate extra to charities during this time of the year, your bank account is certain to feel the strain
- Loneliness and sadness, or grieving the loss of a loved one during this time may have you faking cheer when you feel lost on the inside, which is not an easy state to be in
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of people who have a mental illness report that the holidays make their condition worse, increasing anxiety and depression, and other symptoms. For these reasons and more, December is National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month, taking back the month through planning and self-care, to ensure you are not overwhelmed, stressed out, and overbooked for the holidays.
Use Your Strengths To Navigate a Stressful Holiday Season
It is not possible to have a “perfect” holiday, but what you can have is a fulfilling and joyful holiday. What that looks like depends on your needs and preferences, but during National Stress-Free Family Holidays month, the focus should be on sticking to what you can handle and being realistic with yourself about your capabilities.
Some strengths you may want to tap into for the holidays may include:
Planning – If you are good at planning, get out your calendar in November and start checking things off your list early. Start buying gifts, plan meals and parties, or make travel plans before it piles up and becomes too much to handle. You should also consider creating a budget that includes gifts, food, decorations, and travel, and stay within it. If you stick to a realistic budget, you are much less likely to feel financial strain later on in the month
Mindset and positivity – If you are somebody who can look beyond the presents, obligations, and pressures and remember what the holidays are all about, you are more likely to enjoy them. Focus on spending quality time with loved ones, getting to know them better, and creating memorable experiences than shopping and making the holidays picture perfect
Flexibility – the more you are able to go with the flow and stay flexible, the less likely you are to become stressed about running late or missing a deadline for shipping gifts across the country
Acceptance – even if things are overwhelming, loud, and busy, remember that the holidays are a limited time of the year, and it will be over soon. If you can accept that a little bit of stress is normal, you will be less likely to worry about how you are feeling and get into the spirit of the season
Practicing self-care – sleep and eat well, take your medications, avoid alcohol and drugs, get outdoors and spend time in nature to feel your best
Practice Mindfulness
Stay in the moment and try not to focus on the 100 other items on your to-do list. If you are at your little one’s Christmas pageant at school, try to simply be at the pageant and enjoy the small moments. Christmas shopping in a crowded mall can be a horror show, or you can take a break, grab a holiday-flavored coffee, and try to enjoy the lights and sounds of the season. Social media can take its toll on our mental health, so staying off your phone and in the present moment will allow you to focus on what is most important, rather than what will get the most views in a TikTok video. Be kind to yourself, take a deep breath, practice gratitude, stay in the here and now, and remind yourself that you are only one person, and you are doing your best.
Be Aware of Your Boundaries
When it comes to staying stress-free for the holidays, you need to listen to your own needs first. Some of the ways to stay within your own boundaries include:
- Listening to your body. If you find your shoulders creeping up to your ears, your heart rate increasing, or your anger levels rising, take a break. The house can be cleaned later, your health and well-being are what is most important
- Stick within your budget. Don’t overextend yourself financially. Your loved ones will enjoy any gift you give them. Homemade gifts or baked goods are an easy way to provide a personal present everybody will love, or forego gifts completely if it is too much for you
- Don’t do it all yourself if you feel overwhelmed. You can delegate tasks to others. Ask for help, and it will take the weight of the world off your shoulders
- Know what makes you feel good and do it. Don’t let holiday pressures cause you to overindulge on sweets or skip your regular exercise routine if you don’t want to, but you should also be kind to yourself if you decide to partake in the festivities or have a few extra cookies
- Just say no. If you find that attending every single event, dinner, and gathering is becoming too much, you can politely decline the invitations that make you feel stressed out, while attending the fun get-togethers. You can also forego family traditions that you no longer enjoy, or if they no longer serve you
Gain The Support You Need Through You Behavioral
National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month is about taking care of your mind and keeping spirits bright, and for many people, talking to a therapist or counselor about demanding situations and difficult relationships while learning practical tips and techniques to deal with stress is the key to maintaining good mental health through the holidays.
You Behavioral Health is a 100% online treatment center for mental wellness, with accredited and highly experienced professionals providing a variety of individualized therapies and treatments to treat mental illness and provide support during difficult times with high-quality, one-on-one care. We treat every client with dignity and respect, helping you build a foundation to better mental wellness through up-to-date behavioral health treatments, medically sanctioned and evidence-based therapies, and holistic treatments.
Because we are online, and can be accessed from your laptop, phone, or tablet, even if you are traveling for the holidays, you can keep your therapy appointments and work through any difficult feelings, substance abuse issues, relationship troubles, or stressful situations with a therapist in a confidential, secure, and professional therapy appointment.
To get started, simply give us a call and through a mental health assessment provided by licensed and accredited clinicians, we will help you decide what types of therapy may work best to improve your overall quality of life and help you through any difficulties you may be experiencing. Whether you are facing a significant crisis, a big life change, or just want to make small changes to improve your life, we can help you meet your goals for better mental health. Contact us at (855) 206-2268 to learn more about our platform, clinicians, and the mental health conditions we treat.