How to Reduce Holiday Anxiety So You Can Actually Enjoy the Holiday Season

Are your kids racing around the house, full of sugar and without Zoom school to keep them occupied? Are your in-laws giving you that look because your kids are out of control? Is your crazy uncle spewing out conspiracy theories to everyone within earshot? It’s that time of year again—time for your annual dose of holiday anxiety.

Or maybe your holiday anxiety looks a little different this year. You’re far from home, unable to travel due to COVID concerns, and just plain lonely. You’re concerned about your grandma who’s alone during her favorite season, you miss throwing your annual holiday party, and your springtime expectations that everything would be back to normal after New Year’s just don’t seem realistic anymore.

No matter what your holiday anxiety looks like, you need to equip yourself with tools to manage it. Contrary to what you might think, it’s not too late for you to get rid of your holiday anxiety so you can actually enjoy this holiday season.

1. Meditate on your goals. When things get a little tense, try this meditation exercise. Think about your goals for the future. They can be as high-reaching as starting a new business or as simple as sending a thoughtful text to someone each day. Remove yourself from the stressful situation you’re in – whether it’s your relatives fighting about politics or your own spiraling thoughts about everything you’re missing this holiday season – and reflect on your goals and how you intend to reach them. Maybe you’ll even dream up a New Year’s Resolution or two!

2. Play your favorite holiday jams. If you don’t have a holiday playlist, find one. Or make one. There’s nothing like music to drown out your anxious thoughts, especially if it’s nostalgic, feel-good holiday music. And don’t forget to let yourself dance around the house from time to time. Here’s a list of 100 holiday favorites to get you started.

3. Spend some time away from screens. We rarely think about the extent to which constant screen time really affects us. If you’re starting to feel anxious and then you glance at the 10 missed messages or 30 unread emails on your phone, you probably won’t feel more relaxed. If your kids are screaming and then a news report of higher COVID cases pops up on the TV, that’s nothing but a recipe for escalating anxiety. What you need to do is take some time away from ALL your screens at least once a day so you can clear your head and regain your sense of balance.

4. Take a holiday bubble bath. Picture yourself in a warm bath filled with holiday fragrances and a closed door between you and the chaos going on around the house. Now make it a reality. Throw off your responsibilities for a few minutes and create a soothing environment for yourself. When you venture back out into the craziness, you’ll be facing it from a place of inner peace. Get yourself this holiday bath bomb set as a reminder that you deserve to relax…or make your own holiday bath bombs.

5. Don’t miss the mistletoe. Did you know that a hug or a kiss can bring tremendous stress relief? Don’t let personal touch fall by the wayside amidst holiday stress. Get caught under the mistletoe with someone you love or call up a friend in your bubble and say you need a quick hug. 

6. Treat yourself to a future getaway. Sometimes what you need in stressful times is something to look forward to. Plan a future getaway for yourself that you can think about when times are especially trying. You probably won’t be able to take your ultimate dream vacation anytime soon, but you can at least steal away to the lake for the weekend, take a local ski trip, or just explore a neighboring town for a day or two. When things get overwhelming, think about your future getaway. Don’t miss this fun list of places to go during the pandemic.

7. Practice gratitude. It may be difficult to find things to be grateful for during this wacky holiday season, but it’s definitely possible. Make a list of what you’re grateful for and come back to it whenever you’re feeling…ungrateful. Bonus points if you can find a way to be grateful for things that would normally drive you crazy, like staying inside (curled up by the fire?), having extra time with your in-laws (making new memories?), or missing the tradition of ice skating with your friends (starting new traditions with your roommates?)

8. Diffuse essential oils. What do the holidays smell like to you? Maybe you think of gingerbread, peppermint, nutmeg, eggnog, or pine trees. Why not bring some of these holiday scents into your home using essential oils or candles? When you smell them, your worries will start to melt away…even in the midst of tension. Check out this list of delightful holiday essential oil blends.

9. Forgive yourself. Sometimes what makes you most anxious is not letting go of your regrets from the past. Maybe you wish you had been there for your dad’s last Christmas, or perhaps you regret the way you scolded your son last week. Whatever regrets you might have, it’s time to forgive yourself. Take a deep breath and let go of the mistakes you’ve made. Learn from them and move on.

10. Enjoy Hapbee. Every once in a while, you just need instant calm and relaxation. That’s where Hapbee comes in. Put on the Hapbee wearable wellness device that lets you choose how you feel—and select Calm or Relax to give yourself a break from absorbing all that stress and tension. Say goodbye to the holiday anxiety and let yourself relax and enjoy what this holiday season has to offer. Make Hapbee your holiday companion this season. Order now at https://hapbee.com/

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