Coping With Holiday Stress

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Tis' the season to be jolly! Spending time with family and friends can be fun. But, the preparation, planning, and dealing with relationships during the holidays can be stressful.

Being confronted with financial obligations, questions of what gifts to give friends and loved ones, coping with social obligations and holiday parties, dealing with crowded stores, rehearsals, concerts, and children's programs, and navigating out-of-town travel can be overwhelming. Our expectations of the "perfect" holiday celebration can be elevated and unrealistic due to images we see in advertisements and television. Research reveals that almost everyone experiences stress during the holiday season.

Our traditions are overwhelming. We place "sub-holidays" within our customary end-of-year holiday season. We acknowledge "Friendsgiving", “Black Friday”, "Cyber Monday”, “Giving Tuesday”, and Kwanzaa. Each activity can compound our stress.

Holiday stress often makes the holidays less joyful. Stress can heighten tensions in relationships. Holiday stress can lead to physical illness, insomnia, depression, excessive fatigue, avoidance, anxiety, and substance abuse and misuse.

Developing a skill set and strategies to effectively manage the holiday stress is essential for our health and well-being. The holiday season often requires us to keep track of and pay attention to more responsibilities than usual. Time management is an important skill to relieve stress. Keep a calendar of your holiday activities. Space the activities to allow time to rest, regroup, and plan for the next event. Do not hesitate to say "NO" to invitations if your calendar is crowded. Turning down an engagement doesn't mean you don't appreciate the invitation. Consider offering to meet after the holiday season.

Curb your spending. Overspending during the holidays can have lasting effects. Develop a budget and stick to it. Write down what you plan to give each person on your gift-giving list and use it as a guide to shop. Try to avoid buying items on impulse. Limit watching shopping networks on television and scanning sites on the internet.

Find ways to relax. Play music during car rides and when working at home. Include worship and soft music on your playlist. Use the music to shift the stressful atmosphere. Curl up in your most comfortable clothing and read a book. Do not neglect your daily routine of scripture reading and meditation. God's Word always builds a firm foundation to support us during stressful times.

Engage in self-care practices. Take a walk. Take a nap. Allow yourself not to be perfect. You are only one person, and you can only do so much. Be realistic about how much you can handle this season. Forget about perfection, and relax and enjoy the company surrounding you. Laugh out loud.

Deal with your emotions. The holidays can produce increased feelings of grief and loss. It can be challenging for those missing a loved one, especially for those spending a holiday season without a loved one for the first time. Talk to a trusted friend or seek professional counseling to help yourself heal.

Give grace to those you may not have the best relationship with. Respect the differences of opinion. Try to forgive those who have hurt you. Quietly decline invitations to be with them if the interaction could lead to arguments and disruption. Pray for them and your relationship.

Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like the holidays everywhere we go. We are in the holiday season. Holidays are meant to be a fun, enjoyable time with friends and family. Breathe and relax. Acknowledge that holiday planning, obligations, and excitement can be stressful. Use these tips to help ensure you truly enjoy your holidays when stress starts to set in. Take time to reflect on the goodness of God and remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Blessings and goodwill to you and your family during this holiday season.

Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels Assistant Professor at Coppin State University

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