Family and the festive season
The tree looks great, the presents are perfect, and the food is as delicious as it’s going to get.
How are you feeling though? In the thick of family and festivities, it may be difficult to understand feelings of stress and anxiety. After all, it’s meant to be a season of merriness and fun.
And yet, on the contrary, this period can take a severe toll on your mental health.
As the year draws to a close, it’s easy to slip into a morass of stress and worry about work deadlines, financial issues, catering to everyone’s needs, dealing with potential family conflicts, and managing your own personal challenges.
It’s not just stress – this is a time of year when loneliness and depression can spike.
If you’re hosting family get-togethers, do your best to stick to a budget. Remember, January can feel endless coming on after a season of excess. It’s understandable that you want to treat your family and friends to loads of presents, but not at the expense of your usual monthly commitments. Set your budget and don’t be afraid to ask other family members to bring and share.
Self-care is important in the midst of the noise and clutter – especially if there are family members with whom you tend to have conflict. Being in close quarters can become frustrating. You can be polite while still maintaining your distance and stepping away when you feel your anxiety rising.
Create family traditions and rituals. One way to ease the pressure is to make the season special in whatever way most resonates with your family. A study from a few years ago found that, “Rituals are central to family life and improve the holidays because they amplify family closeness and involvement in the experience. Participants who reported having family rituals were more likely to spend the holiday with family and to enjoy the holiday more.”
In the same vein, it’s okay to completely opt out as well. If seeing family for prolonged periods is too toxic for you to handle, do your sanity a favour and say no.
Everyone is entitled to do what makes them happy, and if that means spending the day by yourself, do it.
Preserve your peace of mind:
- If you can’t afford gifts for everyone, don’t put yourself into debt to do so. More people than ever are out of work or struggling financially, so, if at all possible, take gift-giving off the table.
- Take turns hosting and attending events. It’s never fair for one person to always have people over while also doing the cooking and hosting. Draw up a family schedule and let everyone have a turn.
- While it’s nice to try and see everyone (extended family) during this time, your immediate family should take preference. Focus on your partner and kids first.
- Excessive alcohol can severely exacerbate already-present stress, anxiety and depression. Go easy on the drinks and try not to use alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.