Wait, you may be thinking, it’s too early to be worrying about the holidays! It’s not even Halloween yet, so how can we think about Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s?
Unfortunately, holiday stress seems to start a little earlier every year. With Christmas decorations already appearing in stores in mid-October, it’s easy to start stressing out about shopping lists, family gatherings and finances. Take a deep breath, open your journal and begin managing holiday stress through writing.
Identify Your Stress Triggers
According to a Mental Health America study , 33 percent of women and 31 percent of men experience stress during the holidays (it’s closer to 80 percent according to an About.com poll!). Do you feel frazzled when you start to think about the holiday season? Why? The first step to managing holiday stress is identifying your triggers.
In your journal, write down all of the reasons you feel anxiety or tension around this time of year. Some common triggers are:
• Family
During the holidays, extended families often spend more time together, which can be wonderful… as well as exhausting. Conflicts, misunderstandings and clashing personalities can occur in even the closest families, especially if you are cooped up together for days at a time. On the other hand, if you aren’t spending the holidays with family or are missing lost loved ones, this time of year can feel a bit lonely.
• Money
Buying a gift for every friend, family member and co-worker can take a toll on your bank account. If you have to travel to see family, the cost of airfare and other travel expenses can also add up.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
Many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at the same time every year, becoming fatigued and depressed as fall and winter weather set in.
• Overindulgence
The holidays are infamous for overeating, overdrinking and underexercising. It’s great to indulge in some seasonal treats (who can say “no” to homemade fudge?), but maintaining your normal healthy habits is important to combat stress.
Make a Journaling Stress Reduction Plan
When you are done writing, reread all of your stressors and think about ways you could combat them this year. Underneath each trigger, write a few ideas for minimizing anxiety. For example:
• Spend a few days with each side of the family, but schedule blocks of alone time or outings with friends to avoid too much togetherness.
• Arrange a “Secret Santa” gift exchange with your family or office to cut down on spending.
• Buy special light bulbs that simulate sunlight to cut back on SAD symptoms.
• Set aside time to go on evening walks or do exercise DVDs to stay active.
Do you have a journaling stress reduction plan so you thrive on, not merely survive the holidays? Need some ideas here? Set goals and make a Stress-free Holiday Action Plan in A Private Journaling Workshop with Mari!
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