The holidays are traditionally seen to be a time for fun and festivities, but for many, they can be difficult. Granny doesn’t like your hairstyle and really wishes you would find a ‘proper job’. The children are acting crazy and old Aunt Marge doesn’t understand why ‘all little girls don’t wear lovely pastel dresses.’ Uncle John wants to go for coffee and you would love yours to be an Irish.
In addition, you might have your 12 years old banging on the bathroom door wondering where her new tights are, and your toddler throwing her toys because Peppa Pig has an ice cream and she really, really wants one too, for breakfast.
If the holidays are stressful for you, here are some tips to help you get through:
Stay active.
Keeping active will help you to release any tension you might feel as well as put you in touch with your body. As psychologist James Hillman said, never make a decision before going for a long walk. You’ll have the chance to meditate, the excuse for some alone time, or, if you want to excercise with friends, the chance to leave home.
Get enough sleep.
While the old myth might tell you to never go to bed angry, you probably know it’s sometimes important. The morning will give you a fresh perspective. Getting enough sleep is equally important. While it’s tempting to stay up late to put up the toddler bike, talk about old times or just spend time staring at the bathroom tiles, enough quality sleep will help you stay centered during the holidays.
Manage eating, drinking and spending habits.
Keep yourself feeling physically and financially healthy by managing your eating, drinking and spending habits. While it’s tempting to buy that extra present or drink an extra large glass of wine at the end of a long day, it’s easier to manage the holidays when you feel physically and financially fit.
Reach out to others.
If you feel as though you are struggling, reach out. In a social media saturated world, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed, compare yourself to others or wish you had the life presented on social media. If you feel terrible, reach out to someone you trust.
Seek professional help.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, something goes wrong. You can look after your health, practice yoga, say 'no', put in boundaries or plan your holiday carefully and you still feel frazzled, overwhelmed or just not yourself. Sometimes situations can be taxing. If you don’t feel like you are coping, reach out to a mental health professional. A professional will create a safe and supportive environment to get you through difficult times.
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