The holidays are a joyous time of year, but they can also be a source of stress. Here are 10 ways to cope with holiday stress to enjoy the season.
Take your time (if possible).
When adults and children feel rushed, they rarely perform well. Kids pick up on their parents’ concerned temperament, and parents become irritated when their anxious children act out. Don’t try to do everything at once. Spread the errands and invite family members to assist with housework and preparations.
Choose your battles wisely.
Because of the already current frenzy, most attempts at reprimand will elicit more emotional responses than usual. If you advise your teen to remove her feet off the steering wheel, you might get more than the typical earful, and it might not be worth it. Keep your rage reserved for when things are going bad.
Plan fun things.
While some traditions may look a little different this year, there are still plenty of ways to have fun and cherish memories with your loved ones. Instead of braving the crowds at the mall, opt for a safe and convenient online shopping experience. You can also enlist other family members to help with This is the right time to offer incentives (aka gentle bribes) for positive behavior. Your school-aged child will be much more cooperative if they know they can enjoy a fun movie or video game as a reward. With so many kids attending school virtually, they’re already accustomed to participating in virtual activities. And don’t forget that you can still have plenty of fun at home too! Gather around and play board games or cards, watch old home videos or slideshows, work on a craft project together, cook up something delicious, or sing and dance along to your favorite tunes (even if you’re not exactly in tune). These are the kinds of memories that will last forever—and they mean so much more than any material possession ever could.
Find virtual connections.
Due to travel costs, family schedules, or safety concerns, some family members will be unable to assemble in person this year. Set up virtual ceremonies such as singing together, toasting, and reading bedtime stories. You may also perform family tasks together, such as creating a Christmas Spotify playlist or establishing a group SMS to post daily photos. We long to be together. Be inventive in your search for digital connections.
When things are tough, talk about it.
The economy has improved for some, but the holidays still remind working-class families that luxuries they could afford five or ten years ago are sometimes no longer possible. Don’t let that issue go unrecognized. Kids will notice what’s missing and, in doing so, may imagine something much worse than the truth. In a way that makes sense for your child’s age, tell them there is less money this year but that the same amount of fun, goodwill, and love remains. Ask them, despite constraints this year, how we can still maintain family closeness and holiday joy. And if times are tough because of political discourse and disagreements, try to have conversations to clear the air, put disagreements on the table, and try to come up with reasonable solutions. It may initially add to the stress, but holding in resentments will surface in other ways that may worsen matters.
Give in a different way.
There are lots of different ways to give during the holiday season. If you and your family are struggling financially, you might try giving gifts out of a hat. This way, everyone gets a gift, but it’s not as wasteful because each person gets what they need. Alternatively, you could spend time with your family and share gifts. That electronic gadget might not be as important as spending time with your loved ones.
Keep an eye out for signs of worsening psychological distress.
As previously said, psychiatric problems frequently worsen around the holidays. This makes sense—as dust aggravates asthma, stress aggravates psychiatric problems. However, there is an even more insidious stressor with the holidays, which, as previously stated, are exacerbated by the epidemic. People are bombarded with messages telling them they should be happy. Individuals suffering from psychiatric illnesses may suffer even more due to this message if they are already suffering. Assist your loved ones in receiving the additional care they require, and don’t be afraid to contact your doctor or a hotline. Those phone calls can be life-changing, if not life-saving.
Don’t forget about those who aren’t present.
During the holidays, someone is usually missing. It may appear unpleasant to bring up a lost loved one or a family member who cannot return home, but recounting stories, watching old films, and looking at images can all help bring the family together. Children enjoy hearing stories about family members, such as where they came from, what they did, and what they are doing today. Remember, physical absence is not the same as emotional absence.
Do not let holiday ghosts haunt you.
Many people find the holidays extremely stressful when they recall terrible holiday memories. Individuals in certain families have spent the holidays in horrific settings, including marital abuse, alcoholism, or substance use disorder. In many cases, the holidays might serve as a painful reminder of the loss of a “perfect” family, or at least one that is quiet and cheerful. Children absorb these experiences like sponges. While it is impossible to erase sad memories, lingering on previous problems without resolution is unlikely to be constructive. It’s far better to acknowledge the sorrow (after all, the kids and others are already aware that these are difficult times) than to try to make life great for everyone right now.
Maintain your mind on thankfulness.
Every year has highs and lows. The holidays can be essential to reflect on pivotal occasions in one’s family, personal life, and, most importantly, relationships. It’s only fitting that we sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve. This song never fails to bring back memories. Focusing on gratitude—how grateful we are to be together in the face of adversity or loss—helps to build resilience.
Inculcation
The holidays aren’t always unpleasant but can be especially trying this year. Don’t allow the commotion to ruin your time with family and friends. Reduce the speed. After all, these occasions only occur once a year.
