Handling Holiday Stress

Musicians might tell us Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year,” but this isn’t the case for all of us. Between attending 295732987535 parties and having to see relatives you pretend to not share genetics with, it can be one heck of a stressful time. Registered Psychotherapist, Kristina Virro, shares three tips to help you survive the holiday season.

CHANGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS A lot of stress can come from simply feeling like you “should” be enjoying something you don’t. If the holidays are a hard time for you, accept this rather than trying to fight reality as that will only add to your stress levels.

ANTICIPATE OBSTACLES AND STRATEGIZE ABOUT HOW YOU’LL HANDLE THEM I’m certain that you’d be able to predict potential stressors in vivid detail before the actual event. This is a skill you can use to your advantage! Write down all the things you suspect might happen and add how you’ll handle yourself. It might be something as simple as saying a mantra to yourself or taking a “bathroom break” for a timeout. Go in prepared.

SET BOUNDARIES You may feel obligated to go to certain events, but remember that there’s always wiggle room for your needs, too. You can leave at a certain time so you don’t stay any longer than necessary. You may sit on the opposite end of the table from someone you don’t like so you don’t have to engage with them as much. Or, you might bring a light-hearted board game so people aren’t stuck conversing about controversial topics. Be creative and own up to what you’re willing and not willing to do throughout the night to make things easier on yourself.

Kristina Virro, http://www.fresh-insight.ca