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I’ve always loved the holidays. From festive decor and bustling activities to spreading cheer, Thanksgiving and Christmas hold a special place in my heart. The older I’ve gotten, however, the more another feeling has weighed heavily on me: stress. From gifts to buy and wrap, events to attend, finances to budget, and traditions to celebrate, it seems like little room is left to actually rest, breathe, stop, and enjoy the season.
Holiday joy is present, but so is holiday anxiety. If you’re feeling heavy, overwhelmed, and burdened, here are 5 gentle ways to protect your mental health when gratitude season doesn’t feel good:
1. Name What’s Actually Making You Anxious
Unfortunately, when I get overwhelmed by holiday chaos, my mind and body kick into overdrive. I complete tasks as fast as I can, run around like a chicken with my head cut off, and avoid taking breaks altogether. Before I know it, I find myself working 12 and 14-hour days because I can’t seem to stop. Anxiety pushes me around like a boss, and I oblige like a slave.
After talking with my husband and counselor about this stress, they encouraged me to name what’s actually making me anxious. On the surface, this sounds easy. Just name what’s bothering you, right? But when you suffer from GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), it can be much more difficult to pinpoint the exact culprit.
If you can relate, please know two things: 1. You’re not alone, and 2. It’s possible to get to the bottom of what’s causing you so much strife. Especially during the holidays, I encourage taking 5 minutes in the morning and evening to journal. You can reflect, pour out your worries, or write a prayer to God. Make it personal to you.
Then, take a few minutes and ask the Lord to search your heart as you answer these questions:
Are you stressed about expectations from others or yourself?
Are you nervous about seeing family, or worried about how to respond to their pointed questions?
Are you dealing with unresolved grief? Have you taken time to grieve losses?
Are you facing social pressure to have a “Hallmark” holiday?