The relatives, kids off from school, the snow, the presents, the cooking, the cleaning, the spending, vacation plans, the no vacation plans, expectations, feeling alone, wanting to be alone... the list goes on and on.
Beat the stress, and bah-hum-bug blues with these essential time tested tips from Urban Balance, LLC counseling practice in Chicago.
Continue to exercise, focus on nutrition, schedule a massage and stay in close contact with your healthy support network.
Make a list and make a budget ahead of time so you don't overextend financially.
Stay in to read a book, take a bath, snuggle up to watch a movie.
It's all the extra stuff that can throw us off balance
Learn to say no to other's expectations that are not aligned with your plan.
Be Aware of These Triggers:
Families Can Cause Emotional Regression, says UB's Lori Hall. "Be aware that, unless your family spends a good deal of time together, your personal and emotional growth often goes unnoticed and frequently you are seen through the prism of your previous roles in the family. This can cause a great deal of emotional stress and disappointment. Reminding your family of accomplishments, and not getting drawn into older, unhealthy styles of communicating or power struggles is a good way to “re-teach” our family who we are in the present."
Keep Your Professional Life Balanced, says UB's Joyce Marter. "Around the holidays the office can cause stress emotionally and physically. Be very wary of office parties, where possible negative consequences can be significant. Also be aware of changes in structure and routine with regard to work and socialization. The holidays can mean slow work for some and more work for others. Both scenarios can cause stress."
Self Care Requires Commitment:
Understand You Must Give To Yourself to Give to Others, says Joyce. "I always think about the oxygen mask analogy on an airplane. You need to secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others. It is important to have healthy limits and boundaries It is better to say no to the 10th holiday party than to overextend at the expense of your health."
Single People Especially Must Be Firm About Finances, says Lori. "Single people may feel resentful that they are expected to buy each family member of gift while the family as a whole gets them one gift. Additionally, a single person is seen as more flexible and is often burdened with travel to a sibling’s home because they have a family. Decide for yourself, how much money you have to spend and how much time you have to give. Carry on the traditions of your family of origin when you’re with them but create your own for your support network. Do not go beyond these guidelines and you can maintain a sense of control and wellness."
Counseling Can Help Create Healthy Balance:
Live Authentically, says Lori. "Counseling provides a safe space where people can reprioritize what is most valuable to them. True emotional balance is held by living each day as authentically as possible. Taking care of your physical, emotional and spiritual needs as well as investing in healthy relationships - these are the areas that promote authenticity. The holidays can exacerbate this in that we often feel the need to act less in our best interest, but in the interest of other people’s needs or wishes."
Reconnect with Your Source Strengths, says Joyce. "Counseling helps reconnect with sources of support, empathy, validation, and normalization. It help gain insight about core family and relationship dynamics, and promotes a healthy self-esteem and assertiveness. Also learning new stress management techniques can help keep us connected to our or core values and goals."
Finally says Joyce, Don't Mistake Self-Care for Selfishness. "Especially during the holidays so many of us feel pressure to make everyone else feel better at the expense of our own wellness. There is pressure to get gifts and attend parties, taking the time to recharge is so important in beating holiday stress."