By: Shannon Pritchard
I don’t know about you, but while I love the holidays, I’m also filled with dread knowing I have to deal with family members. Between the politics, side comments, and constant social demands, it’s amazing I’ve survived each year! You might feel the same way, too, and you know what? It’s normal to be apprehensive about holiday plans and family time. You’re not alone, either – across multiple studies, social media reports, and media depictions, the majority of Americans report feeling an increase in stress during the holidays, rather than a decrease, and many report a decrease in energy. Lack of time and money and – you guessed it – an increase of time spent with family are the culprits for those negative feelings. What’s there to do, then? Grin and bear it or avoid the holidays altogether? For most, it’s probably somewhere in between the two extremes. Here are some ways to determine what’s the best choice of action for you. First, how capable are you of setting boundaries with family members, and how much do you think they would adhere to them? For example, if physical touch is an issue for you and Great Aunt Ruth always insists on an uncomfortable hug and kiss, do you think you could tell her to settle for a hand hug instead, and would she respect that boundary? Second, do you know your window of time and social limits? For some, spending two days with family members is just enough before the stress and anxiety hit. For others, it’s two hours, and for others it’s roughly two minutes. Knowing how long you can spend with family before the costs start outweighing the benefits can drastically impact how you can plan for the holidays. Finally, what buffers exist for you? A buffer could be anything that helps you cope with holiday stress. After a long day of shopping, does a bubble bath melt away your tension? Do you have a partner that understands and helps you deal with family gatherings? If you figure out these buffers, you’ll be able to use them to your advantage. The answers to these questions could be your golden tickets to thriving, not just surviving, this holiday season. Take some time to yourself and see what changes you can make in order to make this time of year less stressful and more joyful!
The opinions in this article are of the author and not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any physical or mental condition. If you are struggling, please contact your healthcare provider, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, or Stepping Stone Community Services at 330-577-4099