Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
-Oprah Winfrey
How are you feeling this holiday season? Calm? Stressed? Anxious? Excited? All of the above? None of these? I can admit to feeling quite overwhelmed right now. Too much to do, and too little time to do it all. So, I’m just trying to get through my to-do list little by little, day by day, while also keeping an eye on my helpful and unhelpful coping strategies that I use in my own life. The not so helpful coping strategies for me tend to be not getting enough sleep (so I can get things done), emotional eating (so easy to do this time of year with all the excess sweets around), isolating from others (often so I can get even more things done), which are the ones that come to mind right now. Helpful coping strategies for me tend to be exercise (especially if it’s outside), doing a quiet meditation, journaling, therapy, which are often super helpful outside of the holiday season too!
Please read on for some short, quick information on: symptoms of anxiety to look out for around the holidays, symptoms of perinatal (pregnant/postpartum) anxiety around the holidays, and ending with self-care ideas to help with holiday anxiety.
Symptoms of anxiety to look out for around the holidays:
- Pressure in your chest
- Eating changes
- Trouble breathing
- Restlessness
- Pounding heart
- Butterflies in your stomach
- Insomnia
- Shortness of breath
- Sweaty palms
- Worry about the future
- Headache
- Feeling like the walls are closing in on you
What else would you add to this list?
Symptoms of perinatal anxiety around the holidays:
- Intrusive thoughts
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Constant thoughts about baby’s safety
- Agitation
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feelings of guilt
- Frustration
- Anger
- Lashing out at partner/kids
What else would you add here?
Self-care ideas to help with holiday anxiety:
- Journal
- Eat a healthy diet for your body
- Do yoga or gentle stretching
- Talk to a therapist
- Meditate
- Get plenty of sleep
- Connect with loved ones
- Go for a walk
What other types of self-care help you with your own holiday anxiety?
If you’re currently experiencing holiday anxiety, know that you’re not alone. Most of us are under a huge amount of stress this time of year, as fun as this time of year can also be for us. If you need more help and support this time of year, please reach out to your doctor or a therapist in your area. Know that I’m thinking of you and sending lots of love and compassion your way!
