Tips for Managing the Holiday Blues

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!...or is it? 

With trying to balance the demands of Christmas shopping, family gatherings, parties, and out of town guests, the holiday season can often feel more overwhelming than festive. 

Instead of excitement and joy, you may find yourself experiencing feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. 

The holiday blues are not uncommon but they don’t have to ruin your Christmas. Use the following tips to help manage them.

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Set reasonable expectations

The commercialism of the holidays can make you overly concerned with the details surrounding your celebrations--you need to have a large home-cooked dinner, you need fancy gifts and expensive toys for your children, you need the perfect Christmas tree.

However, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment if your expectations for the holidays are unrealistic and unattainable. 

If you find yourself stressing about the things that you need or should do to make this Christmas special, let it go and focus your energy on what you can do. Take mistakes and missteps in stride. The significance of the season goes far beyond what the world tells us.

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‍Stick to your routine (as much as possible)

With all of the travel, festive gatherings, and added commitments on your calendar, sticking to your regular routine may seem impossible during this time of year. And while some of your routine will change during this exciting season, maintaining important parts of your routine will help manage feelings of stress and overwhelm. 

 Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthy, regular meals, and spend some time (even if only 15 minutes) in prayer each day. Give your body, mind, and soul what they need to thrive. 

Maintaining some semblance of routine will also help you keep up on your healthy lifestyle choices which will contribute to your overall health and wellbeing even during the chaos of the holidays. 

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‍Set boundaries

In order to maintain your peace (and stick to your routine as much as possible), you’ll sometimes need to say “no” to an invitation or two. 

Take some time to consider what you want for yourself and for your family this season. Communicate your needs open and honestly to family members and friends and allow yourself to say no when you need to. 

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‍Don’t over indulge in the holiday goodies

When feelings of depression or anxiety come on, you may feel yourself turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms--like binge drinking or overeating-- to feel in control. 

However, overeating can lead to uncomfortable physical and mental responses like gas, bloating, sluggishness that won’t help you feel better. And alcohol, a depressant, can actually exacerbate negative feelings. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a drink or two at your family party, or eat a few of your grandmother’s famous cookies, just make sure you enjoy everything in moderation and not as a response to feeling sad. 

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Exercise

While it can be difficult to stick to a workout schedule when you’re feeling down (or during the holidays in general), physical activity can reduce and even prevent feelings of depression. Pietra Fitness offers some Advent-specific workouts to help you move your body, still your mind, and enter more fully into the Church season. Sign up for your free trial today.