A third source of holiday anxiety is lack of self-care. A good way to avoid this is to keep in mind is that your body is a machine with a limited supply of energy. On days when you are rested and feeling good, your energy tank is full.
On days when you are ill, stressed or experiencing lots of anxiety, you tank is empty. Because the demands of the holiday season cause you to have less energy than normal, you need to prioritize your activities and focus on those that are most important.
While this seems like common sense, it’s amazing how often people ignore this simple fact. One reason for this is that when you are stressed, small things tend to take on major importance. Take time make a list of all the things you feel you need to do.
Then, decide what is really important and what you can either let go or leave until after the holidays. Making a list on paper often makes things seem more manageable than just running through them in your head.
When an upcoming event is going to be stressful, such as an office party or a family gathering with difficult relatives, avoid doing chores or activities that can be delayed or ignored just before and after the stressful activity.
Instead, plan things that you find relaxing or pleasurable so you can decompress after a stressful event. You can also, schedule quiet evenings at home between stressful activities so you can recharge.
Another way to apply the idea that your body is machine with limited energy is to make sure you do things that give you extra energy. One key area is sleep. In fact, there is a link between lack of sleep and anxiety.
Make an extra effort to sleep the full amount of time that is restorative for you. This is especially true before and after attending parties or other events that are energy draining. Along with sleep, it is very helpful to make any exercising you do a priority.
Because the holidays can be very busy with many opportunities to eat rich foods and deserts, it’s easy to abandon healthy habits that leave you with even less energy. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Make an extra effort to eat healthy meals before and after holiday meals. Enjoy a slice of pie, but not three.
It’s also helpful to drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks or skip alcohol altogether. When going to a party, have a healthy snack before you leave so you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.
During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to forget to take medications. Make sure that your refills are up-to-date and make an extra effort to take medication as prescribed.
There are two things that cause you to be more vulnerable to colds and flu during the holidays. Stress tends to lower your immune system while at the same time, you’re around more people in close quarters. Washing your hands before eating and after social events is a simple way to reduce your chances of getting sick.
Holiday travel can also be very energy draining. Take your time driving and plan to take longer because of the increased holiday traffic you may encounter. If you are flying, schedule flights during off peak hours, check with the airport for scheduling changes, and give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and through checkpoints.
When you encounter delays at the airport, remind yourself that they are normally either due to bad weather or minor repairs being done to make sure you remain safe during your journey. Take a book, crossword puzzle or something else you enjoy to pass the time.
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