Dealing with Holiday Anxiety

Christmas is really the most magical and beautiful time of year. It is also the most stressful. Between finding those must have gifts, crowds everywhere and juggling all the Christmas parties and activities. It can be a bit too much for those of us who suffer from Anxiety, heck I think it can be overwhelming for those who don’t suffer from Anxiety.

This year I have struggled to find my Holiday enthusiasm, and I Love Christmas time! I love the glowing lights everywhere, the ambiance of Christmas, and the way Christmas makes you feel like a kid again. But unfortunately I am not a kid anymore, and Christmas has become a stress overload.

I do not want to start hating Christmas because of the stress and anxiety of the crowds, money being spent and the amount of things spinning around me. I want to really enjoy this time of year with my family.

So I have compiled a list of some Holiday de-stressers.

*Watch A Christmas Movie

I love sitting by a fire, with some coffee watching a Christmas movie. Okay, lets be realistic, I live in Texas and most days it is not cold enough for a fire and I am usually out of coffee. So I may not have that perfect setting while watching a nice Christmas movie, but I still like to snuggle in bed and find a great heart warming movie to watch. Find those types of Christmas movies that pull at those heart strings, you know where you sit back and think “well, I am so blessed”. I am not a fan of those love story Christmas movies, but hey to each their own, if that’s what you like. I LOVE the magical movies, you know with SANTA or even a hilarious Christmas comedy. So just sit back, relax and watch a Christmas movie.

* Go look at Christmas Lights

Me and my family love getting in the car with some hot chocolate and driving around town looking at all the Christmas lights. When the kids were younger we could decorate the car with Christmas lights and tell the kids they were going on a Polar Express adventure. It sounds so magical don’t it? Well it usually ended with the dreaded “I’m Bored” and spilt hot chocolate all over the Polar Express. These days I do not put the added stress into it. We still get our hot chocolate but we just take it easy and just drive.

*Bake Something

Okay so this is a little contradictory. Baking can be added stress, well for me anyway. First, I am terrible at cookies but I love to bake them, so getting them right can be a little stressful. Then you got that horrible mess you left behind, you know like flour on the ceiling and stuff. But every year I cannot wait to find recipes and get in that kitchen, There is just something about Christmas that makes me wanna be like little Mrs. Claus. If you hate baking, don’t do it, but if you do like baking get in that kitchen and whip up some Christmas treats, and leave the mess for another day.

*Remember the Reason for the Season

I think we all get so wrapped up in the buying and what we all think we HAVE to do at Christmas, we forget the reason we are celebrating. Sometimes it is nice to just sit back and remember why we celebrate this holiday and how we can be better for HIM. Which brings me to my next de-stresser.

*Go to Church

I seriously need to take my own advice on this one. I have let this crazy world get in between me and my Christianity and find that I make excuses not to go to Church. Realistically Church is the ultimate de-stresser. When I go I can feel the stress leave me and a feeling of hope enters. Not too mention that at Christmas time there is so much beautiful music and wonderful activities for your family. Even if you do not have a Church, find one and just go to one in your town. Believe me you will be welcomed with open arms.

*Enjoy your Family and Friends

I so often forget why I go through all this mayhem at Christmas time. I do it for those two beautiful creatures I made and that big, burly man I married. Every stress filled moment is for their happiness, but I know that a stressed out mom does not make them happy. So I put that to do list down and spend quality time with them. Build a Gingerbread house together or just share some of those Christmas treats you baked with them and watch a movie together. Just remember why you do what you do and enjoy all the small things about Christmas time.

I hope some of these Holiday de- stressers help you this Christmas season.

Just remember it all goes by so fast, so enjoy every second with your loved ones.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!