Did my uncle just say something racist? Will my grandmother like her Christmas gift? Will my parents be upset if grandma doesn’t like her Christmas gift?
Oh, no, the turkey is burning.
Holiday stress can manifest in small and big ways. Some scenarios might make for funny stand-up comedy, but holiday stress is also very real for many, and can trigger or amplify anxiety and depression.
While Thanksgiving through New Year’s seems like a season where everyone and everything seems to be inundated with cheer, these months can bring about bad family experiences and history, financial issues and other holiday stressors.
“That’s what triggers the anxiety and depression that I see in my patients,” said Dr. Gregory Scott, who works in family medicine with Adventist Health Medical Group at Fisher’s Landing.
He said it’s important not to dwell on negative thoughts, and recommends seeking professional medical help if that’s needed. Scott said he probably sees a couple of patients each day in the months near the winter holidays because of how much pressure is felt in these winter months.
Part of it is the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality that stems from wanting to be a good provider to family and friends, whether it means financial pressure over buying gifts to also covering travel expenses.
Scott added work can be harder and more stressful for some during the holidays, and those who regularly struggle with anxiety or depression can have those things intensify in the winter months. Add in a lack of sunlight, and these can be sad times.
Scott explained this stress generally manifests in depression and anxiety, but can also cause insomnia. Adventist provided four tips to help deal with the stress.
• Take care of your body and mind.
• Identify your priorities and establish boundaries.
• Be realistic.
• Cultivate gratitude.
Taking care of your body and mind means getting good sleep, keeping a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
Identifying priorities can mean spending your holiday time the way you want to spend it. Be able to say “no” if you want to, don’t overextend yourself and ask for help if needed.
“Be realistic” is a call to ditch the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality. Realize the holidays (and your family, friends and you) aren’t perfect.
Cultivating gratitude means remembering the good in your life. Keep a gratitude list if you want. Some research suggests that gratitude can improve physical, psychological and relational well-being.
Scott said many people tend to isolate themselves during the holidays, thinking distance can solve their struggles. However, Scott recommended the opposite approach.
“You need to be around friends and family to stay engaged and have good holidays,” he said.
