Dreading the Holidays? 5 Ways to Prepare
Many people look forward to the holidays with genuine excitement, imagining the connection, celebration, and joy the season brings. However, for a significant number of people, this time of year can feel stressful, anxiety-provoking, or even overwhelming. Not everyone has harmonious family dynamics, and financial pressures can intensify during this season. The reality is that the holidays aren’t always the “most wonderful time of the year” for everybody.
If you’ve found yourself wishing you could fast-forward through the holidays, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to approach the season with more peace and less dread. This article will explore five ways to prepare yourself, both emotionally and practically, before the holidays truly begin.
1. Get Honest About What Makes the Holidays Difficult
It’s perfectly okay to acknowledge what specifically makes this season challenging for you. Whether it’s family conflict, financial stress, loneliness, or something else that feels overwhelming, naming it is the first step. When you can identify what’s actually difficult, it becomes easier to plan ahead for how you’ll handle those situations. This awareness helps you navigate the season more intentionally, rather than on autopilot.
2. Set Boundaries Before the Season Even Starts
Boundaries are valuable all year long, but they can truly be your best friend during the holidays. Whether it’s saying no to certain events, limiting time with relatives or friends who leave you feeling stressed, or setting a firm budget, the earlier you establish these boundaries, the easier it’ll be to stick with them.
Remember that protecting your mental health doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you sustainable. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and taking care of yourself benefits everyone around you.
3. Simplify Whenever Possible
There tend to be countless expectations around the holidays. Perfectly decorated houses, piles of presents, and elaborate meals can be nice, but they tend to create extra stress.
You don’t have to achieve perfection to make things meaningful. Ask yourself what actually matters most to you and give yourself permission to focus on those priorities. Once you identify what’s truly important, you can let go of the extras without feeling like you’re missing out.
4. Use Coping Tools for Stressful Moments
There’s no avoiding the fact that stress will likely creep in during the holidays, regardless of the circumstances. However, if you have the right tools ready when it does, you’ll feel more equipped to handle it. Try taking a short walk outside if you’re in the middle of a tense family visit, practice deep breathing, or schedule downtime between social commitments. These small actions can make a significant difference in how you experience stressful moments.
Having a therapist to talk to throughout the season and beyond can also help with holiday anxiety and make it easier to manage stress. Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional support.
5. Make Space for Joy
Even if the holidays feel heavy, you deserve joy. Try creating small moments that lift your spirit, even if they have nothing to do with traditional celebrations. Cook something you love, walk through your neighborhood to see the lights, or spend time with someone who makes you feel safe. Joy doesn’t have to be loud or extravagant; it can be simple and genuine. It can be found in the quietest, simplest moments.
If you’re not feeling festive this season, that doesn’t make you wrong; it makes you human. The holidays can be genuinely difficult for many reasons, and your feelings are valid. By being honest about what’s challenging, setting clear boundaries, simplifying your expectations, utilizing coping tools, and making space for small moments of joy, you can navigate this season with greater peace and less dread.
At Wellness Matters, we get holiday stress and anxiety and have therapists who can help! Feel free to contact us today to set up an appointment. You can connect with the Wellness Matters Intake Coordinator by texting or calling (218) 616-1276
At Wellness Matters, the intake process is all on-line and can be done in less than fifteen minutes. On-line appointments make it possible to attend appointments from the comfort from your home or office. In-person services may also be available for people living in northern MN.
