christmas photo: picture: pexels
The Christmas holidays are meant to be a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but let’s be real: they can also bring stress, chaos, and the pressure to make everything perfect. From juggling family dynamics to managing your to-do list, the season can leave you feeling anything but merry.
There is also the anxiety that comes with having to meet people you have not seen in years, childhood friends and elderly family members who wouldn’t shy away from making comments about what you do for a living, your weight, your love life and just all the sensitive things about your life. Key to surviving—and thriving—this holiday season? Mental preparation.
To avoid holiday stress, the Capsule publication suggests that you start by focusing on your goals and budget, and avoid comparisons. It is advised that you set a realistic budget for yourself and your family, including travel, hosting, and gift spending.
“Consider starting a dedicated savings account just for holiday spending. Being able to see what you have and where it is going will help you curb financial overwhelm.”
During Christmas, prioritise your needs and avoid negative interactions with family and friends the Adam Aeson website advises. You are encouraged to address issues like stress or negative comments that affect your self-esteem while maintaining composure and politeness to show respect and appreciation to those around you.
“Do not be afraid to defend yourself if a person in your life frequently causes you stress or negative self-esteem. If you have toxic relatives you can exclude from your celebrations, do so.”
Psychological Health Care states that during the holiday season, you need to check in with yourself daily and weekly to identify stress and overwhelm. Adjust your schedule, delegate tasks, and adjust habits to find your sweet spot as regularly assessing your feelings can prevent a major meltdown.
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