6 Ways To Avoid Stress At Christmas Time

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but the reality is far, far different for millions of people every year. Of course, everybody loves Christmas, but it also brings with it a load of pressures that a lot of people find hard to deal with.

To start off, what is supposed to be a spiritual holiday has been wildly commercialized, which has taken the true meaning of it away. And then comes the financial pressure that many families face to conform to the norms of buying expensive presents, decorating their homes creatively and elaborately, hosting dinners that feed many people, etc. On top of it all, let’s not forget the pressure to socialize, go to parties, and impress those around them. These kinds of pressures can seriously trigger your anxiety, and that’s only the least of it!

At the end of it all, Christmas simply becomes a stressful occasion that you only enjoy because “you’re supposed to”, or maybe you just don’t. In fact, a lot of people have decided simply not to celebrate the festival, which is just sad. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way at all! By taking a few simple measures, you can put the fun back into the holiday season and leave the stress behind.

Here are 6 ways to avoid stress at Christmas time:

1. Avoid the Hype

As we said, Christmas in the modern world has become wildly commercialized. Everywhere you look, you have billboards and advertisements trying to convince you that you absolutely “need” to buy or do something, when in reality, you wouldn’t have even thought about it otherwise.

The best thing you can do is recognize the aspects of it that have been sensationalized as purely the marketing ploys that they are, and then avoid them like the plague! Take Christmas back to its basics: a holiday that celebrates spirituality, family, and friends. Spend more time eating well, resting well, and having a good time and less time worrying about the “perfect Christmas”.

2. Be True to Your Feelings

If you’ve been having a tough year, don’t expect to just switch off your feelings and transform into the person that “spreads the holiday cheer” just because that’s what “you’re supposed to do”. The first step is to take care of yourself. Carve out some time for yourself in the days before Christmas to do something you love to do – self-care if you will. This could be spending time with your friends, working out, traveling, or even being alone at home with a good book or movie. Thinking about others, what gifts to buy them, what food to cook, etc. can come later on.

Second, think about what the holiday means to you specifically. If it’s about being with friends and family, do that. If it’s about giving back to the community, make time to volunteer. Find out what will raise your spirits – there’s nothing wrong with your motivations being a little selfish.