The holiday seasons are the perfect time to catch up with friends and family. Most people celebrate the holidays with smiles, laughter, and joy. Unfortunately, studies have shown that during the holiday season, some people suffer from nervousness, stress, and sadness. Here are a few tips on how to cope with the holiday blues this season.
1. Reflect on Your Accomplishments
During the holiday season, it’s common for friends and family to ask for your life updates. For some of us, the year may have gone great, while for others, not so great. Hearing other people’s accomplishments can make a person dwell on their life, which may impact stress levels. To avoid this from occurring, it’s important to reflect on our accomplishments, even if we may not be at the level that we planned.
Focusing and embracing your accomplishments, no matter how big or small helps a person release pressure by tuning in with themselves, instead of focusing on others. Although you may have set high expectations for yourself this year, reflecting on your accomplishments helps remind you of the progress you have made towards your goals.
2. Ask Questions
A great way to combat stress is by asking other people questions. Doing this not only removes you from the hot seat, but it also gives you the chance to listen to other people. Through listening, this helps you find things you can relate to, or open the door to other topics you can discuss with others. Additionally, avoid asking or answering questions that may impact your stress levels. For example, if talking about school makes you nervous and jittery, avoid asking others questions about classes, or anything related to avoiding elevated stress levels.
3. It’s Okay to Say No
This holiday season, make it a priority to put yourself first. Remember that it’s okay not to respond to personal questions or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you find yourself in a position where you feel overwhelmed or tensed, politely excuse yourself from the setting to help relieve tension and regain calmness.
Furthermore, every invitation request does not have to be accepted. If you can’t make it to an event, it’s okay not to force yourself to attend. Equally important, if you simply do not want to be in an environment with certain individuals, it’s okay to miss out on an event. Your mental health comes first, and your feelings are always valid.