There was a time when holidays were simpler. Families and friends made food and came together to celebrate around the table; played instruments to accompany singing, and gift-giving was a modest affair. Shifting societal norms have increased expectations of the food we serve, decorations we hang, and perfect gifts we must find. The pressures cause heightened anxiety during the holiday season and threaten to steal our joy. 

While we can’t control the pace of the world around us, there are steps we can take to shield ourselves from the impact of the frenzied holiday season. 

While we can’t control the pace of the world around us, there are steps we can take to shield ourselves from the impact of the frenzied holiday season. 

Keep Christ at the Center 

It is easy to forget the reason for celebrating holidays such as Christmas. Strolling through stores or scrolling social media might cause us to think Christmas is the day we receive every item on our wish list and make Pinterest-worthy recipes. 

Joy is found in the promise foretold in Isaiah 9:6 (NASB): “For a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest upon His shoulders.” There’s something peaceful about reflecting on the simplicity of yesteryear when people gathered to thank God with a simple celebration remembering the birth of Christ, the promised Messiah. 

Create a Budget

The endless onslaught of suggested ways to spend your hard-earned money can cause extreme anxiety unless you’ve made peace with your decision about your budget and the decision to stick to it. I suggest taking a realistic look at your budget and determining how much can be allocated toward the extras we love to enjoy. For some, there will be very little; for others, there is a bit more ‘wiggle room.’ 

Plan Ahead

Being unprepared for hosting guests, taking a dish to a gathering, or wrapping gifts to put under the tree creates extra stress. Often, this lack of preparedness is the first budget buster, increasing anxiety. Protecting your mental health by planning for the known will allow for bandwidth when the unexpected happens.

Creating a list of pantry and freezer items, purchasing ahead of events, picking up or making a few extra gifts for last-minute gatherings, and detailing steps to take for the arrival of family and friends will pay a significant return on the investment of your planning time. 

Say Yes

Prioritize and say yes to invitations that will make memories with those you love. Memory-making involves spending time building quality relationships, and love is the most important gift of all, modeled to us by God the Father and Jesus, His Son. Spending time with those you can share laughter and tears with will boost your spirits and reduce your anxiety. 

Say No 

Let’s face it. We cannot accept every party invitation, attend every community event, and accommodate every friend asking us to meet for coffee. Evaluating your pre-planned calendar and being realistic about your ability to add more to it at this moment will help alleviate the anxiety that mounts as our schedules get fuller and fuller. It works well to suggest a meeting together post-holidays when life has slowed. A few planned coffee dates will give you something to look forward to just about the time you begin feeling the holiday let-down. 

Choose Traditions

Older generations knew the importance of keeping traditions, but today, many families don’t place value on traditions such as cookie decorating. The hustle and bustle of school, sports, and shopping leave little room in the schedule to go to Grandma’s house for the annual Christmas kitchen tradition. Tromping through woodlands to find a Christmas tree has fallen by the wayside as artificial trees stand tall and perfect in living rooms. Identifying a couple of traditions you can continue or start this year will stabilize your mental well-being and give a sense of calmness to your season. 

Go Outside and Enjoy Creation 

If wandering the forest glades is not your preferred activity, there are plenty of other options for spending time outside. Creation is beautiful year-round, but seemingly more magical during the holidays. Taking time in the fresh air while letting the sun shine on your face (or catching snowflakes if you’re in a cold climate) will benefit mind, body, and soul. Your anxiety and stress will melt away as you breathe deeply and observe the details of your surroundings. 

Live in the Moment

It’s easy to be in the midst of people at one function and realize your mind has wandered to the next item in your busy schedule. I’ve been jolted back to the present by someone asking if I heard what they said. Your joy meter will be much higher if you are determined to lay aside the future and just live in the moment, enjoying all God has given you in the present. 

Eat Healthy 

Holiday treats are so good but not so good for you or for your anxiety and overall mental well-being. I am not suggesting you never indulge, but planning ahead and eating healthy most of the time will help you maintain a balance during the holidays. Making healthy food to contribute at a gathering will help you stay on track. 

Relax! You’ve got this! Let go and let God handle the details and the outcome. Enjoy the parties! Eat the dessert! Laugh! Express your gratitude to God for the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus, and all that is wrapped up in the gift.

Let It Go

We’ve talked about the busyness of the holidays and some of the ways to bust anxiety, but another essential point is to be able to let go of all you cannot control. Plans don’t go perfectly, recipes sometimes fail, guests arrive early or late, and you cannot locate the perfect gift. These are all things that cause anxiety to build. Relax! You’ve got this! Let go and let God handle the details and the outcome. Enjoy the parties! Eat the dessert! Laugh! Express your gratitude to God for the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus, and all that is wrapped up in the gift.