Practicing Mindfulness over the Holiday Season

The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner. However, holidays are not the same for everyone, many people experience holiday stress and anxiety. This can stem from different triggers such as financial strain (think hosting and attending parties and buying gifts), socialising (if you are an introvert) or existing mental or physical health issues (if you suffer from IBS, clinical depression, and other ailments). 

This brings us to one of the most popular questions, “How to handle holiday stress?”. We understand that practising mindfulness during the holidays can often be challenging because what’s wonderful to most is also stressful for the rest. What’s important to remember is that you’re not alone; you aren’t the only one who finds the holiday season stressful, and you need to prioritise your mental health during the holidays. And no, that doesn’t make you selfish.   

Let’s look at the popular causes of holiday stress and six mindfulness tips to help you enjoy the festivities despite your inhibitions. 

What causes holiday stress? 

Some of these issues may be too close to home for you. Accepting that there is an issue is the first step towards removing the negative effects of stress on your festive cheer. Here are some of the more common causes of holiday stress: 

Financial strain 

Loneliness 

Dealing with grief and loss 

Seasonal depression 

Family conflict 

Burnout 

6 Tips to Practice Mindfulness and Enjoy Holidays Stress-free 

1. Mindful Breathing

This is your first step to building a mindfulness routine. The simplest form of mindful breathing involves concentrating on your breathwork. Although you could perform this while standing, it would be more beneficial to do it while sitting or lying down.  

When practising mindful breathing, remove your focus from external disturbances and concentrate inward. While doing this exercise early morning or before sleeping can be beneficial, you can also do it when experiencing extreme stress or anxiety. According to experts, engaging in mindful breathing regularly can help make it easier to handle challenging circumstances.  

2. Practice Gratitude

The festive season is taxing not only for adults but also for children and teens. Many children often suffer from trauma and OCD or struggle to express how they feel. They can easily get overwhelmed during the festivities. If you or your child has been attending solution-focused therapy in Chichester in London, Essex or even online, you would know that practising gratitude can help you feel more in control of your emotions. 

Practising gratitude or journaling helps us appreciate life, improve our health, build strong relationships, overcome hardships and better manage our stress and anxiety.  

3. Holiday Stress Management

Mental health issues during holidays are usually at their peak due to all the stress that surrounds this time. If you are an introvert who suffers from social anxiety, suffers from alcoholism or has been diagnosed with depression, the festive season can be extremely daunting for you. 

It is best to seek help from professionals and loved ones alike. For instance, you can book a clinical hypnotherapy session with an expert. They can help identify your triggers and teach you how to cope with stressful situations through visualisation and other techniques. Seeking help from loved ones can also be beneficial, as they can keep an eye on you for any signs of distress and offer their assistance before it becomes a major setback. 

Some simple tips to manage stress during this time would be to plan, learn to say no, maintain a budget, share your feelings, respect differences, be realistic, and take a break when needed.  

4. Mindful Eating

One of the biggest stressors during Christmas is being exposed to all the delicacies and ‘guilty food’ which you might be able to avoid throughout the year but certainly not during the holidays. However, the stress about eating your favourite desserts or binge eating and weight gain can propel you down the rabbit hole of stress, anxiety and an unhealthy relationship with food. 

This is where you take a step back and look into mindful eating. Mindful eating habits include avoiding snacking, keeping healthy alternatives handy, eating slowly, understanding hunger and fullness cues, staying hydrated and not feeling guilty. 

You can always get in a few rounds of exercise to offset any increase in calorie intake. Simple exercises like walking after meals, running in the morning or even hitting the gym once a day can be extremely beneficial. 

5. Prioritise Tasks

Make sure your priorities are clear during the holiday season so you can enjoy the festive activities without feeling overwhelmed. Try to be specific about your goals over the next few weeks. Allocate specific time for each activity, whether it is meeting family, going for a walk or cooking dinner. Having a schedule can help you feel more in control of your situation. This will also help you avoid multitasking. You can also look at a few apps that will save you time and help you prioritise your tasks.  

6. Limit Social Media

Here’s your reminder that this year’s mindful Christmas activities do not include oversharing on social media. Many people suffer from the “holiday blues,” which can manifest as anything from fatigue and anxiety to feelings of loneliness and loss.  

If you are someone who suffers from anxiety, it is best to log off from your social media accounts and be more present in your real life. Social media leads to unnecessary peer pressure and self-doubt. Every individual and their situations are unique, so, there is no point in drawing comparisons or pining to achieve what an influencer or a Facebook friend has on their feeds. 

Wrapping Up 

The holidays are meant for relaxing, spending time with your loved ones and being grateful for the year that you had. Don’t let stress and anxiety rob you of this well-deserved break. We hope our guide will help you better cope with the negative emotions during the festive season. 

Remember, you are not alone in the way you feel. Seeking help from professionals, friends and family or even through online platforms can help you navigate festivities without feeling doomed. 

Happy holidays!