It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season carries a high degree of stress for many. December often includes added pressures that may affect well-being, relationships, finances and other factors that contribute to anything but a merry and bright time.
Although it sounds obvious, the best way to manage stressors is to remove or avoid them as much as possible, which is easier said than done. An overbooked holiday schedule is not the only thing that can cause discontent, however.
As daylight hours become shorter, the rates of depression increase. This is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD for short. If you are diagnosed with SAD, follow your doctor’s advice. Options include light therapy, counseling and medication. Other factors can also affect mental health during the holidays.
Unrealistic expectations
These anxiety-producing thoughts and feelings can either come from external sources or ruminate in our minds. Outside expectations from family members, children, bosses, friends and others can leave you feeling like you are not enough or that you are spread way too thin. Internal expectations can push you to do more than is healthy or reasonable.
By reframing your thoughts and reevaluating your expectations, you can make your holiday season easier. Know your limits for work hours, budgets or patience with specific people or situations. Practice polite refusals that you can use with others who pile on the pressure. Also, recognize that it is okay to have negative thoughts and feelings. That’s normal.
Financial difficulties and debt
Financial stress is often paired with unrealistic expectations, and some go into debt for holiday gift buying and other expenses. Before allowing the holidays to become a financial burden, set a limit before shopping begins, track expenses, use cash instead of credit, and set aside money throughout the year as a holiday fund.
Loneliness and family issues
Memories of pleasant holidays or comparisons between your life and others enjoying the season can exacerbate loneliness. With so much focus on sharing time with others, people without positive familial or social connections can experience more sadness during the holiday season than during other times of the year.
If you are feeling lonely, create new traditions with friends, volunteer with an organization that helps others — such as serving food on Christmas Day — and get help if you need it by seeking counseling.
The holiday season may come with more stressors than at other times of the year, but self-care, tempering expectations, reaching out to positive people and sticking to both financial and time budgets will help you avoid a blue Christmas and instead focus on the warmth of the season.
