About every holiday season, a load of stress, anticipation, and high expectations are fallen upon individuals. In a way, the romanticized perception of the holidays and the constant reminders of Christmas follows you everywhere. This leads us to believe everyone must be joyful and excited, though it is perfectly normal to feel the opposite during these trying times.

            There are several reasons why someone can feel pressured by holiday stress such as lack of time or money, family gatherings, travel, diet or healthy habits, and pressure by gifts. Despite how wonderful the holidays are made out to be, the emotional toll is not always avoided. In fact, you might find your emotional state worsen this month.

            Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of the holiday blues due to several stress factors. You might find yourself feeling lonely because of the emphasis on family and friendly gatherings. For instance, if you live alone, in a new city, you might long for company a little more than usual. If you are experiencing financial distress already, pressures to buy sufficient gifts for everyone can make you feel depressed and guilty. Traumatic experiences from past holidays can also bring back unpleasant memories as well. There are numerous reasons you might have these emotions, and they are, in fact, shared by individuals everywhere.

            So how can you manage these feelings and the holiday season? There are several ways to deal with this issue, but it is important to remember to choose healthy ways to cope. Despite personality differences between individuals, healthy and proactive actions should be taken along the way.

1. Try to accept your emotions and that these feelings are normal and common. Attempting to suppress your feelings will only lead to troublesome outcomes, perhaps in panic attacks or cry spells. You are allowed to have these feelings this holiday season as well as the upcoming ones.
2. Try to examine the cause of your emotional distress. Is it the financial burden, the family pressures, or commercialism that is troubling you? This will help you take the first step in handling the situation and what you can do for yourself.
3. Come up with an action plan and commit to it. Are you worried about affording gifts for your family? Suggest your family to make homemade gifts or have there be a price limit. This will ease your worries and allow you to feel accomplished.
4. Treat yourself to whatever helps you relax. If you know that cooking for your entire family brings stress to your life, go to a spa or play golf at your favorite golf course after you buy all of your ingredients. This can play as a new tradition for you. And, if it helps you unwind, it is a healthy tradition that can help you in the future as well.

It is imperative to remind yourself every year that the holiday season will pass, and the flight of emotions are temporary. It is only a moment in time when the chaos will be over, and you can get back to your regular schedule. Always be mindful about what you eat, how you sleep, and who you interact with. During this time, be kind to yourself and practice healthy coping mechanisms as often as you can.