So instead, here's 7 ways to insure you or your anxious friend have a minimum stress holiday season.
1. Plan time to relax and unwind, both at the beginning of your break from work or school and towards the end of break.
Go to bed early and sleep in if you can. It's important to make sure you're unwound and unstressed before the festivities, and after before you return to your stressful work or school environment. Spend time pampering yourself as much as you can, take a bath, have a spa day, get your hair done. Just something that's going to make you relax the most. Spend time on your own reading a book or watching a show, emphasis on the phrase on your own. (If you're a friend of someone who deals with anxiety, it's important to remember that sometimes we just need space and time to ourselves. We really appreciate your efforts to try to keep us as relaxed and comfortable as possible, but sometimes that can stress us out as well. Everyone needs time to themselves on occasion.)
2. If you're throwing a party or hosting a gathering, try to prepare as much a couple days ahead of time so you don't feel stressed the day of.
Despite struggling with anxiety, I have been able to throw a couple parties this year that entailed a large amount of preparation on my part. The best thing you can do is do things before the day of. Make as much food as you can the week leading up to the party. Deserts like cupcakes and cakes can always be put in a freezer until the day of, when you can pull them out again to defrost and ice them. Pies, bread, casseroles, and many other food items can be frozen so they stay fresh and don't have to be cooked the day of. Clean house two days before, set up decorations and set the table the day before. All these things can be done in advanced so that your party is as stress free for you as possible.
3. Avoid large parties or situations you know are a recipe for disaster.
Most people will celebrate New Year's Eve by going to large parties where there is possibly (and more than likely) drinking going on. If you don't feel comfortable going somewhere or you feel uncomfortable upon arrival, DO NOT FEEL PRESSURED TO PARTICIPATE. Honestly, there have been so many different times where I've thought about and wanted to go to parties or gatherings, or even concerts where I've just had to say I'm sorry, I don't think it's a good idea for me to go. And you may be reluctant to say no because you feel guilty for turning down the host or or your friends are trying to get you to go, but trust me, you will feel SO much worse if you go and have a panic attack. (If you're a friend of someone who struggles with anxiety, don't pressure them to go to parties. Try staying home with them and just hanging out or renting a movie with a few friends. Frankly, popcorn and a movie in pajamas sounds a whole lot nicer than loud music, tight clothing, and drunk people do.)4. Don't sweat the small stuff
I know that I'm very guilty of this. I get worked up over the tiniest details, when really, it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, and a lot of times not even in that moment. Take a deep breath, walk away for a couple minutes, and either come back to a difficult situation and try to approach it in a different way, or don't come back to it at all. Either way, don't stress out about something. Before you get upset, think "Is this really worth getting stressed out about?". Try to put things into perspective, and remember, your health is most important, so if something is going to cause a panic attack or stress you out, you need to walk away.
5. Sometimes a quiet evening with few good friends is better than a loud one with many not-so-friendly-acquaintances.
I've learned that I have the most fun when I'm with a few of my closest friends, rather than being in a large group of people I only kinda sorta occasionally like. Just because it's the holiday season, doesn't mean you have to go to every big party out there. You're just as cool as you were before getting pizza with friends than being at that party where you would have probably felt out of place at (and maybe even cooler than before!)
6. Remember what the holidays are really aboutRemember the holidays are about having fun with family and friends. Be sure to cherish that, and try to focus more on that than what's stressing you out.
7. Do what's best for you and your health. No matter what.
Please remember to be safe this holiday season, I need you reading my blog next year, too!
I hope this helped. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me in the ways below or leave a comment. I'm always available to reply and chat if you need to!
Abby xxx
Wishing you the best this holiday season!
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