Anxious About the Holidays?...You Might be Overwhelmed

Every year I dream of shutting down my psychological practice a little earlier in December. I block it off in my calendar and as the days go by, I feel guiltier as the number of requests increases. The holidays are one of the busiest times for most mental health practitioners. Although the holidays can present an opportunity for us to connect, there are certain pressures that come with the holidays that bring on uneasiness or feelings of being overwhelmed. At times being overwhelmed can bring on symptoms of anxiety or even bring on symptoms of panic. Anxiety symptoms can be overwhelming. Some of the symptoms of anxiety include heart racing, sweating, chills, racing thoughts, and agitation. There is a lot to be anxious about during this time (i.e., financial pressure to purchase gifts, time commitments, meeting with family you may not get along with). Combine that with some of the existing pressures brought on by everyday life and our window of tolerance of being able to manage everything becomes smaller and smaller which influences our mood and how we feel.

The feeling of being overwhelmed often comes from a need. These needs during the holidays may include conforming to family obligations, following specific familial traditions, financial pressure to maintain gift amounts, and meeting particular accommodation requests from others- just to name a few. The needs often influence the feeling of being overwhelmed and at times bring on symptoms of anxiety. It’s important to reflect on what pressures you are feeling and set a plan to create change. Not everyone appreciates change, but explaining how you feel may help bring understanding, compassion, and empathy, which could help 'lessen your load' and contribute to an overall better holiday. It's important that you consider setting boundaries with yourself at this time. This doesn't just start with boundaries regarding your health (i.e., meditation, exercise) and what you would like to maintain during the holidays, but consider creating boundaries around your budget, who you want to spend your time with, and how you would like to spend your holiday. Setting boundaries with others is also important. Remember setting a boundary with others is not a rejection, it's an act of self care.