Depending on your life circumstances, some people celebrate the holidays, and some people dread them. Holiday spending, managing commitments, meeting or not meeting people’s expectations, loneliness, or worry about what Uncle Earl or Aunt Fanny might say at dinner can create a lot of stress. Worries, especially at holiday time, can often snowball out of control and take a toll on you both emotionally, and physically.
Worries are often rooted in personal relationships: wanting to please others and avoiding confrontation and rejection. This can sometimes mean losing sight of your own needs and personal happiness. When stress is at its peak, often it's hard to stop, recognize this, and regroup.
Instead of letting the holidays become something you dread, consider taking control of the holidays before they start. Learning to recognize your holiday triggers such as financial pressures and personal demands can help ward off stress and worry before it spirals out of control. Being realistic and asking for support is also an important step towards helping you take care of you. With a little planning and some positive thinking, my wish is that you will find balance, peace, and joy during this holiday season.
