How to Handle Holiday Anxiety

The year-end holidays are often physically and mentally taxing. The pressure of having the perfect holiday can be very intense. There’s just so much to do and so little time to do them! You have to shop for gifts, attend get-togethers, meet work or school deadlines, all while making sure your friends and family are happy.  Add to that the stress of living during a pandemic, and it’s no wonder that for many people, this year’s holiday season is a source of anxiety instead of joy.  

If you find yourself feeling more panicked than ecstatic these days, try the following tips to ease your anxiety and bring joy and peace back into the “most wonderful time of the year.” 

Say No 

If you’re feeling like you’re stressed too thin, remind yourself that you don’t have to say “yes” to every party invite or request to do overtime work. It’s important to set boundaries. If you don’t, you might end up spending the entire holidays feeling stressed, exhausted, and even resentful. 

If you’re a people pleaser and you find it hard to refuse, take heart—it’s possible to say “no” without causing conflict or hurt feelings.  Just be polite and firm, and communicate your reason for your refusal clearly. For example, if you don’t want to attend a huge party due to COVID-19 health risks, tell them something like, “I’m very thankful you thought of inviting me. However, I’m avoiding going to social gatherings right now because of the pandemic, so I’ll have to take a rain check.”

 You can also offer an alternative to soften the blow (but only if you want to). For instance, if you can’t make it to a co-worker’s cocktail party, you can offer to take them out to lunch some other time or hang out with them online. 

Don’t Abandon Your Routine

What with so many things to do, it’s tempting to skip your morning routine and dive straight into the tasks of the day. However, studies suggest that following routines is calming and can help alleviate anxiety. 

If your normal practice in the mornings is tocleanse and moisturize your face, sit down to a good breakfast, and read the news, keep doing it! Apart from being calming, following a regular routine also helps you stay in control of your day and allows you sufficient time for yourself and your loved ones. 

Try Not to Go Overboard

There’s a lot of pressure doing the holidays to overdo it with food and alcohol. However, doing so can make anxiety worse. Research suggests that eating lots of processed food and sugary treats can negatively affect your mood and worsen your ability to cope with stress.  

You may be tempted to take the edge off with a cocktail or two. While it’s okay to imbibe in moderation, keep in mind that drinking too many alcoholic beverages can worsen anxiety. 

Look After Your Skin

Depression and anxiety can trigger acne flare-ups. In turn, having blemishes can make one feel anxious and depressed. You can help stop this vicious cycle by taking time to care for your skin. A gentle cleanser followed by ahydrator and moisturizer will keep your skin smooth, supple, and glowing. 

For pesky pimples that pop up right before parties and Zoom get-togethers, we recommend theCalm Down AHA/BHA Acne Spot Gel. This treatment contains potent anti-acne ingredient protease as well as boswellia serrata, an anti-inflammatory that reduces swelling and calms redness.  It works quickly to treat acne so you have one less thing to worry about during the holidays. 

Take Time Out for Self-Care 

The year-end holidays are a time to display generosity and kindness—not just to others, but also yourself. No matter how busy you get, make sure to schedule time for self-care activities, whether it’s exercising, meditating, singing along to your favorite songs, or experimenting with fun ways to apply makeup. The goal is to do something that relaxes you and makes you happy. Taking the time to look after yourself will boost your spirits and give you the strength you need to cope with the hustle and bustle of the holidays. 

Need some more stress management tips? Check outthis article!