When talk of a big holiday comes up, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, do you feel down or anxious?  The holidays are normally a wonderful opportunity to bring family members together for good food, presents, and making special memories. You may be looking forward to holiday traditions like decorating the Christmas tree or eating your mom’s homemade apple pie.

On the other hand, you may be feeling a sense of dread during this season. The holiday blues often usher in anxiety, grief and depression as concerns about finances, pressure to prepare a great feast, and seeing toxic relatives close in.

Please know that it is completely normal to experience holiday blues. You’re not a Scrooge or killjoy. It’s just true that being a perfect host or guest is pressure. Particularly when people expect you to be just as joyous as they are. 

The holidays tend to be a busy and more stressful time of the year in which the pressure to create a special celebration can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Even if you have no control over the impending holidays, it’s important to remember that you do have control over how you cope with them.

Need a few ideas? Here are some ways to set healthy boundaries and employ a few self-care tips for coping during the holiday season.

Healthy Boundaries

Setting boundaries will show yourself and others that there is only so much you can do. Know what your limitations are and do not be afraid to exercise them. Check-in with yourself about perfectionism and people pleasing tendencies. Are you putting more on your plate than necessary because you are prioritizing how others perceive you rather than about taking care of yourself?

For example, if you feel too pressured to create an entire feast by yourself, create a potluck and have everyone bring something. It will be a good opportunity to explore the traditional foods or recipes others bake during the holidays. This frees up time, energy and finances and allows your guests to share their holiday cooking creations. 

You can also set boundaries when it comes to unhealthy relationships. Try your hardest to associate yourself with people who make you happy instead of those who bring you stress. Surround yourself with those same people at the table for more pleasant conversations. Such boundaries will allow you to have a more stress-free holiday.

While the holidays may provide you with the stress of preparation and putting up with challenging relatives, they can also be a time for happiness with the people you love. Anxiety and depression therapy can provide you with a safe place to focus on the present moment and look forward to the holidays. Please contact us at Mindworthy Therapy if you would like to learn about more coping techniques for the holiday blues.