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Holiday Stress Survival Guide

Holiday Stress Survival Guide

Earlier in the Holiday Season, Kara joined the wonderful Kimberly from Being UnNormal to tape a live podcast about surviving the holidays. The holidays can be a stressful time for many people. Here are some handy tips condensed from that podcast to assist with the holiday stress of this time of year.

Manage Boundaries

  • Physical- Regardless of relation, power, or if they bought you a gift. You don’t have to hug! (And neither do your kids!)
  • Time- Don’t overextend yourself. Nine holiday parties, a Christmas concert, the nutcracker, and four different holiday meals is too much. Check in with yourself. Prioritize. Choose a couple.
  • Emotional- You don’t have to listen to your racist Uncle Larry. You don’t have to join in on self-deprecating conversations about food and weight.

Manage Expectations

  • Have a conversation (or several!) with your partner, family
    • Discuss gifts- # of gifts, costs
    • Holiday related labor- Practice good communication
  • Societal Expectations- Pinterest Moms, Making it Magical, etc.
    • Own the hustle- If you are a Pinterest Mom, awesome!
    • Own the chaos- If you just remembered to order Holiday cards, nice work!
    • Try to remember that you don’t have to keep up with anyone.
  • Take an inventory of your stress. What brings you joy about the Holidays? What drains you? 

Manage Grief and Pain

  • The holidays can be troublesome for many reasons. Past trauma, estranged family, grief, recent breakups, finances, stress.
    • It’s okay to not feel festive.
    • It’s okay to bow out of gatherings if you don’t want to put on a happy face and some reindeer antlers.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Ancora. Please remember to take care of yourselves and give us a call if needed.

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