Hello dear friends,
Welcome to December… we have waited all year for you. Yaaaay! Trees up presents flying off the shelf, food vacuumed up fast, weight gain on the rise, joy and cheer everywhere. Love it all!
It is a busy busy period, and an interesting one with the many activities, plannings, parties and visits.
Here are some holiday related posts I made last year that you can find helpful.
- Embracing the Dance: Living and Celebrating While Healing
- Navigating the Emotional Economics of Christmas
The holiday season is often marketed as a time of joy, celebration, and connection, but for many, it can also bring significant stress and feelings of depression. The pressure to meet expectations, manage finances, and maintain relationships can take a toll on mental wellness. I overheard a colleague talking to her mum about Christmas dinners, if to send money, who would attend, etc.
I wanted to share strategies to help you navigate holiday stress while maintaining sanity and maybe even wellness.
Understanding Holiday Stress
Holiday stress can stem from a variety of factors:
- Financial Pressure: Buying gifts, hosting gatherings, and traveling can strain budgets.
- Time Constraints: Balancing work, family, and social obligations often feels overwhelming. Have you seen how people drive in December?!
- Emotional Triggers: Loss, loneliness, or strained relationships can resurface during the holidays.
- Unsaid expectations: have you told anyone what you would prefer for the holidays or are you assuming they know? They too!
When unmanaged, these stressors can lead to feelings of sadness, fatigue, and even depression, making it essential to prioritize mental wellness.
How to Do Better
1. Set Realistic Expectations
Let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday.
- Simplify Plans: Focus on meaningful traditions rather than trying to do it all.
- Communicate Boundaries: Let friends and family know what you can realistically handle.
2. Budget Wisely
Financial stress is a common holiday challenge.
- Set a Spending Limit: Decide on a budget and stick to it.
- Get Creative with Gifts: Consider homemade gifts or experiences instead of expensive presents.
3. Prioritize Self-Care
Taking care of yourself is crucial during this busy time.
- Maintain Healthy Habits: Stay hydrated, eat balanced meals, and exercise regularly.
- Schedule Downtime: Plan moments to relax and recharge, even if it’s just 10 minutes of quiet. Book time for yourself on your calendar, pay for self-care ahead of time.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can help reduce anxiety, and improve mood.
- Stay Present: Focus on one task or interaction at a time.
- Breathe Deeply: Incorporate deep breathing or meditation to calm your mind.
- Make lists and keep track of important things
5. Connect with Support
Human connection can ease feelings of isolation or sadness.
- Reach Out to Friends or Family: Share your feelings and spend quality time together.
- Join a Community Activity: Volunteer or attend local events to build connections.
- I like doing joint plans for Christmas day or Christmas events. It’s shares responsibility and lightens the load. Culturally, Christmas for me is a community event so I honour and love that still.
6. Manage Expectations in Relationships
Holiday gatherings can sometimes be a source of tension.
- Avoid Unnecessary Conflict: Focus on common ground and avoid divisive topics.
- Know When to Step Away: Take a break if discussions become overwhelming.
- Don’t invite someone you don’t like to your home, send them a gift and leave it there.
7. Seek Professional Help
If feelings of stress or depression become unmanageable, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Therapy or counseling can provide valuable tools and support. Ask your therapist to help you identify triggers and work on a management plan for them.
Why Safety and Wellness Matters
Taking care of your mental health during the holidays not only enhances your enjoyment of the season but also sets a positive tone for the year ahead. Remember, the holidays are about connection and gratitude, not perfection.
Sit your family down ask them what is most important to them, pick a a few achievable items and work towards them. Lower the expectations especially if you have young kids. Don’t be the mum or dad in the parking lots crying because their toddler hated the Christmas market and cried throughout.
Calm down. Breathe. Fill your cup. Pray. Christmas is really about Jesus, not presents, food or events.
Until next time, stay authentic,
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
2 Cor 3:2(MSG)
You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
