Navigating Holiday Stress: A Mindful Approach to the Festive Season

Welcome back, lovelies. We are now in the heart of this holiday season. Whether you're gearing up for Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Posadas Navideñas, or any other celebrations between December 15th and January 1st, you might find yourself a tad stressed during this period. And if you are, remember, you're definitely not alone. It's incredibly common to feel an added burden of stress during these festive times.

Holiday Stress

Understanding Holiday Stress and Its Impact on Mental Health

In fact, nearly 41% of U.S adults report their stress increases during this enchanting yet hectic season.

Making this the season of unneeded stress and anxiety.  For those of us managing mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders, the holiday season (stretching from November to January) demands extra attention. It's a crucial time for mental health management, a period for setting boundaries and engaging in self-care to navigate holiday stress.

The Essence of the Season: Connection and Reflection

This season, with its shorter, colder, and darker days, naturally calls us to spend more time indoors, to connect more intimately with friends and family. Yet, often, we overlook this vital aspect of the darker season. Caught up in the holiday frenzy, we forget that this time is truly about connection and reflection. To ponder over the goals we've met or missed, and to strategize for the year ahead. But in this whirlwind, we often neglect ourselves, pouring our energy into not just the people we cherish, but also those we don't, all in the name of holiday spirit.

Spend time with those you LOVE this holiday season

Ideas for Meaningful Engagement:

• Baking Together & Reflective Sharing: This upcoming weekend, my friends and I are gathering for a day of baking bread to celebrate the Winter Solstice. It's a simple yet profound way to bond and create lasting memories. During this gathering, we also plan to have a reflective sharing session. Each person will share their significant achievements and lessons from the past year. It's a powerful way to acknowledge our growth and set intentions for the new year, all while enjoying the warmth of freshly baked bread.

• Creative Collaborations: Bonding Through Shared Culinary Creations: Engage in a joint creative project, like crafting homemade holiday decorations, to foster teamwork and creativity. Extend this collaboration to preparing large, communal meals. Each person can contribute ingredients, helping to decrease meal costs and ensuring shared nourishment and warmth. This collaboration is about more than cooking; it's about creating lasting connections and caring for each other during the holiday season.

• Nature Walks: Embrace the Outdoors for Mental Wellness: Bundle up and step outside to soak in the limited sunlight of the season. Nature walks are beneficial for mental health, boosting dopamine levels and increasing serotonin production. This combination enhances mood and fosters a sense of calm, making nature walks an uplifting and tranquil experience during the holiday season.

• Virtual Connections: For friends and family who are far away, set up virtual meet-ups. Share stories, play games, or watch a movie together online. These virtual connections help maintain closeness and shared experiences, even when physical gatherings aren't possible.

Challenging Unrealistic Expectations: A Reality Check

In our quest to create the perfect holiday season for our loved ones, we often forget that we have our own needs, and our mental health often takes a backseat to the festivities. It's understandable, given the endless parade of holiday movies, advertisements, and influencers painting a picture of what our holiday spirit “should” look like. Amidst the festive celebrations and the seasonal blues, many of us are left feeling somewhat overwhelmed or a tad empty. The reality is, we often hold ourselves to unattainably high standards during the holidays.

Your holiday, your way

A Final Note:

Remember, your holiday isn't scripted by Hollywood directors or crafted by the dreams of capitalist giants. It's uniquely yours, and you have the power to shape how this festive season unfolds. Embracing the 'Holiday Spirit' is wonderful – if it sparks joy in your heart, dive into it with gusto! Deck those halls, sing those carols, and spread cheer like it's going out of style. But here's the kicker: do it without compromising your well-being. Don't feel pressured to dig yourself into a financial pit just to check off every holiday wish. Celebrate responsibly, keeping your happiness and financial health in harmony. After all, the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones is a holiday season filled with joy, not depression and debt.

Until Next Time,

Jena Your certified mental health guide for holistic wellness, reminding you to take care of yourself this and every holiday season