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5 min read
Dec. 4, 2023 – Get ready, because the holiday season is upon us! Brace yourself for a whirlwind of activities and obligations, from buying gifts to attending parties and baking cookies and latkes. This time of year can be overwhelming, with relentless stress and sky-high expectations.
But here’s the kicker – a new study says the added pressures of inflation, tight finances, and world affairs are making many Americans feel even more strained and stressed than usual this holiday season. Plus, over half of people are still worried about the rise in COVID-19 and flu cases, which could definitely put a damper on social gatherings.
Nicole Hollingshead, PhD, a psychologist at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, said the survey’s findings really drive home the importance of taking a step back. “We know from research, especially looking at cognitive behavioral therapies, that what you do can really influence how you feel,” she said.
Time to Stop Living ‘From the Neck Up’
That’s where mindset expert, Sonia Jhas, comes in. She believes many of us are too caught up in the noise and self-inflicted narratives, failing to think about our own values and evaluation criteria for the holiday season. Jhas suggests creating a “mindset manifesto” before the holidays start to set expectations and take better care of ourselves.
“Step back and ask what you want for yourself for the holiday season,” she said. “Do I want ease? Do I want comfort? Do I want support? All of these can erase the self-limiting beliefs we carry about ourselves. The key is to have clarity ahead of time before we’re in the fire so we have a better chance of making those bumps feel minor versus massive derailments.”
This practice of setting expectations (or setting intentions) is one of the most important strategies suggested by Inger Burnett-Zeigler PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate clinical professor at Northwestern University in Chicago.
“This is where you start taking care of yourself and are able to examine where lines need to be drawn,” she said. “It can apply to what limits you set if you are financially constrained so you don’t feel stressed about spending. Or what you are willing to do; for example, committing to doing only one part of the cooking and having others take care of the rest.”
Figure out what you feel able and willing to give, she said, including asking others to pitch in and help in ways that honor the boundaries you’ve set.
Just Breathe
Of course, amidst all the chaos, it’s important to remember to take a moment for mindfulness – simply taking a beat and breathing can work wonders. The idea of mindfulness can help make the holiday season a little bit more manageable and enjoyable. So take a step back, and just breathe.