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Why do Holiday’s cause Anixiety?

 Holiday stress can affect anyone, even children. There are a lot of expectations around the holidays.Stress and anxiety around holidays are often linked to people projecting ahead holidays are a change from our day to day routines and we aren't enjoying the break because we're too busy worrying about the unknown.  When you add in the financial burden, travel, and visiting family members, stress can pile up quickly. The holidays can also be a difficult time of year for people who have lost friends and family members. The memory of the loss can make it harder to cope with holiday season stressors. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.



Take control of the holidays

Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. With holiday commitments, it is OK to say no to a few or all of them. It also will help relieve some stress. Try sharing your to-do list with other family members. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. Be realistic with how much you can handle this season. Forget about perfection, and relax and enjoy the company surrounding you. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

Don't abandon healthy habits. 

Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. The holidays are notorious for ruining healthy habits. A short workout each morning will help your decision-making throughout the day. Eat healthy snacks like fresh fruit or vegetables throughout the season.

Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Try these suggestions:

  • Have a healthy snack before holiday meals so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.
  • Eat healthy meals.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Include regular physical activity in your daily routine.
  • Try deep-breathing exercises, meditation or yoga.
  • Avoid excessive tobacco, alcohol and drug use.
  • Be aware of how the information culture can produce undue stress, and adjust the time you spend reading news and social media as you see fit.

Prioritize self-care. 

Self-care has been defined as the process of taking care of oneself with behaviors that promote health and active management of anxiety and depression when it occurs. 

Schedule time for activities that make you feel good. It might be reading a book, going to the movies, getting a massage, listening to music you love, or taking your dog for a walk. It’s okay to prioritize alone time you need to recharge. Keep in mind that self-care is not all-or-nothing. Any time you manage to squeeze it in is better than no time, and even a few minutes can improve your mental outlook so that you're better equipped to handle family and friends.

There are a few different categories of self-care:

  • Emotional self-care, such as self-talk, weekly bubble baths, saying “no” to things that cause unnecessary stress, giving yourself permission to take a pause, or setting up a weekly coffee date with a friend
  • Physical self-care, such as prioritizing sleep, adopting an exercise routine you can stick with, choosing healthy and nourishing foods over highly processed ones
  • Spiritual self-care, such as attending a religious service, spending time in nature, meditating, incorporating regular acts of kindness into your day, or keeping a gratitude journal


Don't forget about your own needs. Take a nap, go for a short walk, read a book or watch a funny movie. Laughing relaxes the whole body, and can relieve physical tension and stress. So this holiday season, let’s focus a little more on fresh air, and a little less on standing in line to swipe our cards. Let’s gather our favorite people and cook, sing, laugh, and explore the woods together. Let’s burn a few batches of cookies, go for a run, and ignore our phones. And when you’re ready to book that quick getaway into the woods, give us a call. Holidays are meant to be a fun, enjoyable time with friends and family. These tips can help ensure you truly enjoy your holidays when stress starts to set in.

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