There is no doubt that 2020 and 2021 have been two years of stress. COVID-19 continues to be the dominant news story, and we are all left to wonder, “When will this end?”
As cases have risen once again because of this omicron variant, so has anxiety. You would probably be hard-pressed to find one person who isn’t ready to see 2021 come to an end. Many people have to enjoy Christmas very differently than usual. Less travel, smaller gatherings, and altered traditions are on the table once again for some people this year.
Even under normal circumstances, the holiday season can be stressful. Family, cooking, eating, shopping, attending social events, and entertaining guests can often contribute to some anxious holiday moments. That’s probably why many of us can relate to these words spoken by Clark Griswald’s father in the movie Christmas Vacation. When Clark asked how he managed to get through the holidays all these years, his dad replied, “I had a little help from Jack Daniels.”
Though the holiday season can be stressful and challenging, there are several ways to minimize stress and anxiety so you can thoroughly enjoy this festive time of year. Here are SEVEN tips that can help you alleviate some of the seasonal stress.
1. Set Reasonable Expectations for Yourself
Your Christmas celebrations don’t have to be perfect because that’s impossible. If you’re trying to meet unrealistic expectations, you’ll be just like Clark Griswald. Your goal should be to have an enjoyable time with family and friends. You don’t have to live in the kitchen. Or decorate to the nines. Keep life manageable, and you won’t compromise your holiday.
2. Find Time for Yourself
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a breather. There’s no justification for working yourself to the point of exhaustion to achieve a false sense of perfection. Instead, you need to know your limits. Setting aside time for rest is critical. Take a walk around the block. Enjoy a midday nap. However you decide to rest, it’s essential to do it.
3. Manage Your Time Socializing
There’s a line between socializing too much and too little. If you overexert yourself, you’ll burn out. The opposite happens when you choose to stay isolated. You don’t have to do anything that makes you stressed. Feel free to forgo visits to toxic friends and relatives.
4. Let Others Take The Lead
It can be tempting to do everything yourself. Remember Clark Griswald. You may not realize that you are inadvertently creating more stress as a result. Don’t say “yes,” too much. Is someone offering to help make the macaroni and cheese? Let them! Is someone willing to host the Christmas Eve gathering? Let them.
5. Don’t Overspend
The holiday season can bring financial stress and contribute to more tension in the upcoming year. Unless you have an unlimited budget, celebrate the holidays without dipping into your bank account too much. Take time to create a holiday budget and stick to it. Most people rarely remember what they received at Christmas, but they will remember their family and friends’ time.
6. Stay Away from the News
Need I say more? There is probably more time to watch the news and get on social media with time off work. Mainstream media has capitalized on COVID lockdowns and has driven anxiety and depression to record levels. While we keep hearing that “We’re all in this together,” that isn’t true. The news will continue to paint the worst picture possible, so my advice is to turn it off.
7. Remember What Christmas Is All About
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2: 8-14
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Have a Merry Christmas!
Bill
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