Managing Holiday Stress
Managing Holiday Stress
Although the holidays are a time of joy, they are also very stressful for many people. During this busy season it’s important to take care of your own needs. Make the holiday season more enjoyable for yourself and your loved ones by looking out for these stressors:
· Overspending
· Staying too busy/having too many obligations
· Substances in the home/family using substances
· Disrupted routine (not going to work, meetings, therapy, etc.)
· Lack of exercise
· Trauma triggers/heightened emotions
So you’ve realized that you experience one or more of these holiday stressors... now what? Knowing your stressors/triggers can help you find new ways to cope with them. This season, try some of these new approaches:
· Start your own traditions
· Set a budget for gifts/travel and stick to it!
· Budget time (I’ll spend 2 hours at each family event) OR spend time with family on another day if you can’t make it to all of your holiday obligations- it’s about the togetherness, not the date itself!
· Say no! You can’t do everything and that’s okay.
· Listen to what your body needs! Eat, sleep, hydrate, and take your medications as prescribed.
· Have your own transportation/leave when you need to
· Plan activities to fill downtime
· Find a local AA meeting
· Go for a walk
· Use the buddy system- take a friend/accountability partner
· Talk to your sponsor
· Talk to a friend/family member when you’re feeling overwhelmed
· Ask for help!
· Stick to your routine as much as possible
· Use coping skills: grounding techniques, breathing techniques, “time out”, meditate
· Set boundaries (you can stay for two nights but you have to go home after that; you can come to my house but you cannot drink or use here)
· Be mindful of WHY you are celebrating- “reason for the season”, family togetherness- not gifts!
