Whilst Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year for some, for many of us it’s an emotionally and physically demanding time of year. And its no wonder when you consider the mountain of pressure we put on ourselves: shopping, entertaining, parties, cleaning, baking, decorating and family feuds, to name just a few.
And for some, the holidays can be a very lonely time of year. We’re bombarded with images of happy families, but what happens if your family unit is not so happy and complete? The emotional toll can trigger anxiety, stress and depression.
Here are my top tips for helping you to get through the holiday stress intact:
- Reframe those negative thoughts
Rather than focusing on what is difficult or lacking in your life, acknowledge what you’re grateful for. We can either choose to feel lonely and sad, or we can seek to find comfort in the positive things in our life.
One way to practise gratitude is to write down three things that have brought you some form of joy that day. It could be as simple as getting a seat on the train at rush hour, or enjoying a coffee at lunchtime.
- Practise mindfulness
Spend 15 minutes a day being mindful of your surroundings. We often live in the past or future, worrying about what has or will happen. Bring your thoughts back to the present. Put down your phone for a minute / put away your screens, and concentrate on what you can see, smell and hear around you. Be aware of how you’re breathing, how the muscles in your feet, legs and shoulders feel. Can you hear cars outside, birds, people chatting? Can you smell the rain, someone’s perfume or freshly baked bread as you walk past a café perhaps?
The stillness this creates in your mind provides respite from the Christmas anxiety and stress that normally plague your thoughts.
- Volunteer
What better way to lift your self-esteem and improve your mental wellbeing than to help people who are in need? It also provides a social connection for those who are feeling lonely at Christmas. Consider helping an elderly neighbour, deliver gifts for children in hospital or help out at a homeless shelter.
- Have a digital detox
The constant barrage of emails and notifications disrupting our daily life means we rarely give ourselves true time out, and being able to detach and relax is really important in lowering our cortisol levels (our body’s stress hormone). It you really want to de-stress this Christmas, cut down on the amount of time you check your phone. The perfect lives we see being played out on social media is pretend, and only serves to exacerbate feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. Everyone else is not more successful or enjoying a happier life than you. Step away from the false reality and rethink the way you use your smartphone.
- Get plenty of rest
Do you wake up every morning feeling refreshed? I’m going to hazard a guess and say probably not. Many of us have fallen into bad sleeping patterns and do not prioritise bedtime into our daily routine. You cannot fix a sleep debt by having the odd lie in at the weekend, and sleep deprivation can have a profound impact on our mood. Establish a proper bedtime routine; run a bath, read a book, listen to music with the lights turned low, no screen time an hour before bed. Starting everyday feeling refreshed rather than fatigued will greatly change the way you function and cope this Christmas.
- Make a plan
Find a sense of purpose each day, whether that be a hobby, helping someone out, having a clear out or cooking a new recipe. The more challenging or stimulating the activity, the more satisfaction you will accrue during the festive holiday.
- Prepare for difficult situations
If you are anxious about spending time with family this Christmas because of previous challenges or past issues, spend some time in advance thinking about how you might approach any potential conflict. We can’t change other people or their reactions, but we can choose who we want to be during these interactions. Decide how you want to react in a way that maintains your dignity and integrity, helping you to stay in control if things become unpleasant.
- Ask questions
Social awkwardness can be at an all time high during the holidays. Alleviate your own self-consciousness by asking people questions and taking the attention off of yourself. People love talking about themselves and their interests, and they will be far more focused on what they’re saying than how uncomfortable you may be feeling.
How can City Hypnotherapy London help with holiday stress and anxiety?
To find long-term solutions to your anxieties, curative hypnotherapy seeks to identify and resolve the underlying cause behind your symptoms. Contact me at susannah@cityhypno.co.uk or call 020 3700 4263 for more information on how hypnotherapy might help you.
by