The holiday season can be stressful. Keep in mind that it is OK to find ways to cut back on these seasonal stressors.
The holiday season can be stressful.
Family gatherings, even with immediate family, may be stressful. Your stress may be triggered by some
of the people there, or the work involved to prep and clean up, or just dealing with all the planning and coordinating. And purchasing presents may just feel materialistic and insensitive.
Keep in mind that it is OK to find ways to cut back on these seasonal stressors.
Ways to Cut Back on Stressors
If cooking feels like too much work this year, order food or ask other family members to help you cook.
If shopping feels stressful, you may wish to have family members send specific wish lists of gifts so you don’t have to decide about what to buy.
It’s not uncommon, though, for people to feel that gift giving has lost its joy. They may feel like material things matter less. If this is the case, discuss with your family about cutting back on gifts or just skipping gift giving altogether.
How to Deal with Holiday Events
Certain people may also be stressors for you. If this is the case, try to spend more time with the people you feel better around and less time around those who cause you stress.
You may have some events you feel obligated to attend. But remember, you don’t have to attend any event you don’t want to. Don’t feel guilty about skipping events that are stressful for you. And don’t feel guilty about skipping events if you do not feel that it is a safe choice for you health-wise.
If you do go to a gathering, consider driving yourself. That way you are free to leave if you start to feel overwhelmed.
Another strategy is to write down all the events you have planned for the season. Then, rank them in order of importance. Choose to go to the most important ones and skip the rest. This helps ensure that you don’t overcommit yourself.
How to Help the Griever
- Try to understand how the griever is feeling.
- Listen when they say they are feeling stressed out and give them an out.
- Offer to help to take some of the load off the griever, especially if they were typically the one to organize and plan the gathering.
- Don’t take it personally if the griever says they want some time alone.
- Do continue to contact them, even if they say "No.” Don’t be pushy but let them know you are available whenever they are ready.
