Christmas: It’s the Most Stre-ess-ful Time of the Year! Within this blog, we explore the causes of stress, the most appropriate treatment, and the best ways to avoid the pressures of the holidays, particularly in a year when the coronavirus pandemic has changed the festive season as we know it. Try a few of these tips as a way to dodge family conflicts: If you find that things are getting on top of you, talk to someone you trust about how you feel. For professionals looking to make a referral, please click here. Legal Christmas stress and anxiety can often intensify feelings of sadness among those suffering from depression. Talk to your parents about how you’re going to split your time at Christmas. Coping With Christmas Stress Posted on December 15, 2015 by Toni Jackson :: Psychotherapist & Counsellor 2 Comments. This will be keenly felt by many people this year, after months of living under COVID-19 restrictions. ‘Tis the season for indulgence, and whether it be a festive holiday party or a … Drink driving is a real danger and is illegal. All in all, the holiday season creates the ‘perfect storm’ of heightened physical, emotional, psychological and social stressors. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and on edge, or if you’re spending Christmas away from home, there are things you can do to make dealing with the holiday season easier. Below is some more advice: Focus on positives and celebrate the small achievements. Christmas. This is highly risky because emotional distress cannot be reduced with this behaviour, it will only keep increasing. Christmas can be a difficult time of year, with many people experiencing increased symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Here at Priory Healthcare, we help people who are struggling to manage their stress levels and who are worried about the impact it is having on their life. Top ten tips on how to survive the festive season by author and psychologist Sarah Rozenthuler. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline 13 11 14 both have counsellors who are available 24 hours a day, so feel free to call them if you feel overwhelmed. Coping with Christmas Stress Here are some tips to beat the holiday stress: Provide help to someone – research shows that helping others builds resilience, irrespective of age or health, was found that those who provided tangible assistance to friends or family were protected from the harmful effects of stress. they might not be aware that they’re upsetting you – let them know in a non-confrontational way, spend the day with friends who are also away from home, plan a special Christmas menu with your favourite food. There are now additional strains at a time already fraught with demands, as we all continue to adhere to social distancing and the merriment is much more muted. “Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. The stress that comes in the lead up to Christmas. And the media love it. Social media can also leave people feeling like failures for not having the best tree, decorations, presents or food. I wanted to talk about some of the ways people get stress and anxiety around Christmas and how you can sort it out if it happens. And the media love it. Don’t wait until the last minute. And, for these people, Christmas may be an extremely difficult time. tool can help you explore what's right for you. Some of the reasons people get super-stressed, tired and argumentative with family at this time include: Because Christmas is usually jam-packed with family visits and activities, it’s worthwhile making sure you have time out just to relax and be in your own space. Try These Things to Help You’re not alone if you’re not exactly feeling in the holiday spirit this year. Avoid overindulging. There's no point dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Maybe chill out by listening to some music, going for a walk or chatting with a friend. Platforms such as Facebook and Instagram fuel ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out), even in this COVID Christmas as people stage glamorous get-togethers within the home, or are in areas with more relaxed tier systems. Thursday, 20 December 2012 Fran. 10 ways to reduce Christmas stress; 10 ways to reduce Christmas stress. Helping others is a great way to feel the joy of Christmas. Spending a lot of time with someone you don’t often see can be tough. Below is some more advice: Avoid self-medicating with alcohol and food. Take time out Counseling or support groups can also be beneficial. Those suffering from any type of holiday anxiety, depression, or stress can benefit from increased social support during this time of year. If you have to divide your time between your parents' places, these suggestions might help. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress as it burns off hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline and helps produce mood-enhancing endorphins. Christmas is a special event because it brings family and friends together. All rights reserved.CSI Media - Umbraco Website Designers, Unexplained nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, Dizziness, palpitations, and sudden visual changes, Social withdrawal including withdrawal from family and friends, Expectations to socialise (even within our allowed households) and spend more money, The emphasis on loneliness at this perceived time of togetherness, Additional cleaning and cooking, on top of already busy lives, Arguments amongst family during a time of closer proximity, Financial worries, heightened by the pressure of choosing perfect gifts, Pressure on hosts to provide the perfect Christmas for children, parents or guests, Focus on positives and celebrate the small achievements, Don’t catastrophise – ask yourself “what if everything goes well, not wrong?”, Stop people-pleasing – it’s okay if you turn down some invites, even if it’s just to a Zoom call you don’t feel comfortable attending, Let go of your inner perfectionist – look at what really matters to you, Have a break from social media and don’t compare yourself to others, Spread out your diary – it’s okay to plan nice things for January too, rather than putting too much pressure on the small window in December, Prepare and plan in advance for how your time is going to be spent, Organise, prioritise and set achievable goals, Set yourself a budget for Christmas shopping, Share the load – allocate tasks and give other people responsibilities, Open a window or go for a walk for fresh air, Take up an exercise class that is good for wellbeing, such as yoga, Drink responsibly, limit alcohol or avoid it completely, Medication including anti-depressants may be helpful in certain cases. If you can't (or don't want to) step off the social merry-go-round, at least try to eat and drink in moderation. If they live further apart, then you can swap who you spend Christmas with each year. put your headphones on and close your eyes. How to deal with stress. If they live further apart, then you can swap who you spend Christmas with each year. Remember to stay healthy - eating well , exercising and getting enough sleep can help you cope with Christmas stress. The stress that comes in the lead up to Christmas. overdoing it with too many family, work or social events. Use Visual Schedules (great for toddlers too) During school breaks, I often use a whiteboard to take … Look online for charity Christmas lunches happening nearby. Identify the main sources of your holiday stress 2. If you’re struggling already, the extra social pressure to be happy and involved over the Christmas period can be too much. Allow yourself to take ‘time out’ if you find your stress levels rising. Christmas brings a mixture of childhood excitement and dread. The Priory Group aspires to deliver the highest quality of care in the UK across our range of services, which include acute mental healthcare, addiction treatment and low and medium secure facilities. Coping with Christmas Monday, 19 December 2016 Caitlin Caitlin, who’s struggled with depression and anxiety for many years, blogs about the challenges and mixed emotions of Christmas. Holidays Got You Down? You can use this interactive worksheet to : 1. Some people who are stressed, anxious or depressed can turn to negative ways of coping, such as eating too much food or drinking alcohol, to make themselves feel better. By doing some gentle activities like walking in the park, strolling on the beach or joining in … Church groups or organisations like the Salvation Army or The Smith Family often put on Christmas lunches and are usually looking for volunteers. Let’s beat the Christmas stress. Some things to consider: Celebrating Christmas away from the people you love can be lonely. Diets and gym memberships are particularly popular in January! (Password is XMAS) This is a fun combo of two previous posts that gives five helpful hints for reducing and coping with Christmas stress during the holiday preparations and beyond. ... until something happens that you really can’t cope with. Taking some time out from them might help you to have more fun when you’re together. This can cause people to behave in uncharacteristic, risky or embarrassing ways which can have significant, potentially long-term effects at work, at home and on self-esteem. Manage your expectations. Christmas and the holidays can be a massively busy time. Consultant Health Psychologist Dr Sue Peacock from BMI The Saxon Clinic shares her advice for surviving the season. Yep. Psychological symptoms of stress include: Behavioural changes linked to stress include: The pressures of 2020 will have heightened feelings of stress for many. Sometimes, the simple act of giving a family member space to air their grievances without judgement can do wonders for the harmony of the house. ReachOut.com uses cookies to give you the best experience. That’s the thing that has already turned up. Stress is a normal, necessary and adaptive response that helps us to deal with the challenges of life and the environment around us. If you’re spending it overseas or with people other than your family, plan for some fun activities: Volunteer to help with a charity Christmas lunch. ‘Tis the season to be riddled with anxiety? Find out more about cookies and your privacy in our policy. As families change and grow, … Learn to make healthier choices during the holiday season 3. The stress that comes in the lead up to Christmas. tips for communicating in difficult conversations, you’re worried about the Christmas holiday, you aren’t spending Christmas with family, working long hours to get things finished before the holidays, worrying about the financial cost of buying Christmas presents, getting all the Christmas shopping done in time. Fran blogs about how she keeps her anxiety and stress at bay by reviewing a daily mantra. Some individuals thrive on high levels of stress, such as in stressful working environments, whereas others struggle a lot more with the pressure. If you’re finding it hard to cope, you might like to talk to someone who’s not so close to the situation. When you first come to us, an initial appointment will be provided with a consultant psychiatrist, who will help to clarify your condition and form a diagnosis, leading to a care plan focused around your specific needs and goals. Festive Stress. This could be a … If they live close to each other, you might do lunch at one place and dinner at the other (swapping each year). During stressful periods such as Christmas, it is important to find safe outlets for emotions, such as enjoying outdoor exercise or chatting to a friend over video or phone. Take a break. I’ll be posting it this coming Christmas (2020), so in the meantime it’s password protected. Privacy and Cookies I know quite a few people who have to deal with Christmas stress and I try and help out whenever I can. Create your own rituals and traditions at Christmas for something new. Coping with Christmas Stress. … Develop a plan to manage your holiday stress 4. Although Christmas is seen as a time for celebration where you get together with family and friends and enjoy each other’s company, it can also be a stressful time for many. Ok, well, Christmas itself is not actually here yet, but the stress is. Live in the moment. Christmas is usually characterised as a time for celebration – music, bright lights, giving presents, seeing loved ones and enjoying food and drink. Sitemap, © Copyright 2020 the Priory Group. According to MIND, one in four adults feel anxious about social occasions during the festive period.Not to mention, the extra demands at Christmas … Christmas stress and anxiety is a huge thing for me and it totally sucks. But for others, it can be the most stressful time of the year. “This year I have decided to keep my expectations around Christmas ‘real and achievable’. For most people, when we feel stressed for a long period of time, this can have a negative long-term effect on our health and wellbeing. That stress is perhaps felt strongest among young adults, many of whom may be far away from home and looking at celebrating the holiday season alone for the first time. During stressful periods such as Christmas, it is important to find safe outlets for emotions, such as enjoying outdoor exercise or chatting to a friend over video or phone. For details of how Priory can provide you with assistance regarding mental health and wellbeing, please call 0800 840 3219 or click here to submit an enquiry form. Ok, well, Christmas itself is not actually here yet – it’s over three weeks after all, but the stress is. Another aggravating factor that may contribute towards stress levels at this time of year is the role of social media, which triggers one-upmanship during the holiday season. Christmas is, for many, a time of excessive eating and drinking and exercise can be easily overlooked. Sadly, all of this extravagance is far from the reality this year. Be active. December 8, 2020 Coping with stress at Christmas By Hannah West. 60% of those surveyed experienced shopping fatigue after 32 minutes, with heart rates increasing by an average of 33% during this time. It is here already. We spoke to Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Jaya Gowrisunkur, about coping with stress at Christmas. It is here already. “Coping with Holiday Stress Worksheet” introduces nine important strategies to help ensure a happy and healthy holiday season. Coping with Christmas For many people, the festive season is an exciting time to connect with others and celebrate. Anxiety affects between 2-5% of the population. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. People greet each other to get together to celebrate this event with their loved ones. Recognising and changing behaviours that contribute to your stress will help you get through the Christmas period. 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