By: Kelsey Wooten, LPC
The holiday season is a complicated time for people for many different reasons. There is stress of schedules, planning, cooking, family dynamics, grief, politics, and so on. Plus it seems like the holiday decor comes out earlier and earlier each year.
The best way to handle burnout is prevention, and here a few suggestions:
- Set realistic expectations for yourself and others
– your house doesn’t have to look like a winter wonderland (or be decorated at all) if you don’t want to
– Level set your expectations for those family members who have a history of being difficult/problematic, late, or never seem to remember their contribution to the meal/party
– Check in with yourself, what you have the capacity to do, give, or offer before you spread yourself too thin - Stay within your financial means
– you don’t have to break the bank to show your love to your family and friends - Set boundaries with your loved ones
– its okay to say no to anything you don’t want to do (you don’t have to explain your no)
– you are allowed to leave early or come late
– speak up if someone says something hurtful to you
– remember that boundaries teach others how to treat you - Get enough rest
- Remember to eat something green (that isn’t covered in sprinkles)
- Be aware of how much you are drinking – water and alcohol
- It’s okay to be sober
- Connect with those you love
- Remember to move your body
– have a living room dance party
– go for a walk
– stretch - Do things you enjoy
– sing
– dance
– craft
– play
– read
-watch your favorite holiday movie
If you’re already burned out take a look at how you’re coping. What changes do you need to make or who can you ask for help?
In their book “Burnout the Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” Emily and Amelia Nagoski suggest that if you deal with stress most days, you should give yourself 20 minutes to ‘complete the stress cycle’ on those days. You can do that by doing some deep breathing, having positive social interaction, receiving affection, moving your body, laughter, crying, or being creative. Lean on your support system if its possible or seek outside resources (like seeing a therapist).
and lastly, what you see on social media is. not. real. If you find you are comparing yourself to what you see online, remember its curated. People and homes don’t look like that in real life, not everyone is doing photoshoots in their matching pajamas. There is nothing wrong with you.
Cheers to surviving another winter holiday season!