For many people, the holidays can be a time that is filled with more stress than joy. Between gifts, parties, and family activities, many people experience increased anxiety, which can ruin the holiday fun. How can you manage the expectations of the holidays while still feeling relaxed?

Anxiety: The Flip Side of Holiday Happiness

With so many activities and gift-giving, you may feel financial stress. Some people feel a pressure to display impressive decorations, to find or fit into the perfect outfit, or engage in extravagant family traditions, especially on social media. There are frequent holiday activities that you may feel compelled to attend, but end up exhausted as a result. As the holidays approach, the stress may outweigh the joy.

Anxiety can emerge when you are uncertain about what’s going to happen. You may worry about going home for the holidays. Despite being an annual tradition, many people feel anxious when they attend social gatherings or have to manage extended family dynamics. You might fear pointed questions, living up to others’ expectations, or impressing people that you don’t see frequently. When you begin to experience the familiar symptoms of anxiety such as excessive worry, trouble concentrating, increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, or isolating yourself from people, it’s hard to feel the joy of the holiday season.

Proactive Ways to Handle Holiday Anxiety

Fortunately, you can address these symptoms head on so that you can enter this time of year feeling more relaxed and happier. While it helps to talk to family and friends, they may be unable to fully understand what you’re dealing with, even if they have your best interest at heart. It can often be beneficial to seek out professional help for holiday-related anxiety.

Don’t let anxiety get in the way of enjoying holiday activities. This season can be hard for many of us, but therapy can help. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC to request an appointment with an independently contracted counselors who can help make the holidays fun again.