Stress During Vacations: Origins, Coping Strategies, and Beyond
As the festive season approaches, many of us may find ourselves experiencing a heightened level of tension, often due to the seasonally patterned depressive disorder known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition, characterised by low mood, lethargy, and tension around certain times of the year, including the holidays, is typically linked to the reduced daylight and changes in biological rhythms during the winter season. These changes affect mood-regulating neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain, triggering symptoms.
Holiday stress, however, is not exclusive to those with SAD. It affects people, including children, across the United States. The causes of holiday stress are manifold. Expectations of making every meal and gift perfect, attending every party, cramming in every tradition, financial burden, travel, visiting family members, and memories of lost friends and family members can all contribute to this seasonal stress.
Symptoms of holiday stress are similar to those of SAD, including anxiety, sadness, headaches, body aches, inability to sleep, and irritability. To alleviate these symptoms, there are several strategies you can employ.
Firstly, understanding your triggers is essential to managing holiday stress. By identifying what causes stress during the holiday season, you can take proactive steps to avoid or minimise these triggers.
Secondly, learning how to cope with day-to-day stress can help you better manage holiday stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and exercise can help reduce stress levels and improve your mood.
Planning ahead can also help relieve holiday stress. Writing down all the things to do and prioritising them can make the holiday season feel less overwhelming. It's important to remember that it's okay to say no to obligations that will cause you heartache and disappointment.
Financial management is another key aspect of managing holiday stress. Keeping your finances in check by being realistic about what you can afford and creating a budget can prevent financial stress from adding to the holiday season's pressures.
If you suspect that you're experiencing a bout of major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, it's crucial to consult your doctor immediately. If your mood hasn't improved or your symptoms continue well after the holidays, consider speaking with a mental health professional.
Lastly, it's important to remember to put yourself first during the holidays. Taking care of yourself is essential for taking care of others. Honour loved ones you have lost by reflecting on special memories of them, doing something meaningful in their honor, or volunteering your time to a local organization.
By following these tips, you can ensure that the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, rather than a period of stress and tension.
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