2023-12-24 08:01:00
Christmas, Christmas, sweet Christmas… sweet? Nougat, spending time with the nephews and not having to work sound pretty good, right? The problem is that the Three Wise Men also come accompanied by binge eating, endless shopping, social obligations and family (a lot of it).
If following recreating this image in your head you feel overwhelmed, you begin to have a feeling of rejection towards this time that is approaching and you notice that you are short of breath, that you have difficulty concentrating, more easily getting angry, difficulty sleeping, it is possible that you are experiencing stress.
But it should be noted that the stress, or activation that occurs in the body, is not always negative. In its proper measure, it helps us to be attentive, concentrated and creative, among other things. In those cases we would talk regarding eustress.
Why is Christmas stressful?
When this activation resulting from stress is excessive and causes us discomfort, that is when we must take some measures. Already in 1967, psychologists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe considered holidays and Christmas as potentially stressful elements. If we add to this this year the fear of testing “positive”, we will be facing these dates with an extra dose of discomfort.
In this situation, our health can be put in check since sustained stress has a direct impact on our immune system.
The Christmas period breaks our usual rhythm. We spend more time with family, often to avoid breaking traditions, and we find ourselves doing things that perhaps we wouldn’t want to. That is, we give up time that we might dedicate to ourselves or to other activities. Furthermore, there is a lot of expectation regarding these dates and we even feel obliged to feel that it is a happy time. All of this can generate pressure that turns once morest us.
But there are some recommendations that can help us cope with it in the best way, promoting our physical and mental well-being.
1- Let’s find a meaning for these dates
For some, Christmas has a spiritual dimension while for others it is a time for family and rest. There are also those who simply see these dates as a few days that serve to close the year and prepare for a new one.
Giving an intention to these dates, family gatherings, gifts and special meals will help us manage the stress that generates so much fuss.
3- Let’s listen more to our needs
It is important to ask ourselves how we want to celebrate Christmas, what type of gifts we want to offer and receive, what we prefer to eat, what we need to be able to enjoy these dates. Although it sounds repetitive, we must internalize it: well-being begins with ourselves.
4- We can say no, but assertively
It is important that we can transmit our needs (to our partner, friends or family); For example, let’s say if we want to change the topic of conversation or go for a walk to get rid of the lamb and the salads.
It is worth remembering that we have the right to say no. It is not mandatory to participate in all the proposed plans or meetings and you may have that time to allocate to another activity.
In this sense it is useful to be clear and not generate false expectations. If we do not plan to participate in a certain plan, it is preferable to say that we will not attend than to say that we will try to arrive on time, when this is not true.
This way we will avoid unpleasant moments, such as calls complaining regarding our absence. That might make us even more uncomfortable and stressed.
5- Brief but quality meetings
In this period of so much social hustle and bustle we see people with whom during the year we have little contact and perhaps little affinity. This situation can cause us to anticipate discomfort and be predisposed to be tense.
If we cannot avoid seeing these people, we have the option to select the time we spend with them. Keep it short and as satisfactory as possible, avoiding some topics and ignoring unfortunate comments.
6- Let’s lose the fear of asking for collaboration
If we cannot take on the organization of all the celebrations in our own home, let’s ask for help. We do not need to bear all the responsibility. Maybe someone can take care of dessert, drinks or appetizers. In this way the expense, work and time invested is distributed.
7- Let’s look for free days
If we are lucky enough to have some free days outside of the main dates, it might be satisfying to give ourselves time for ourselves, spend time alone, reading, massages, a walk.
8- Let’s give away experiences
Sometimes we enter the consumerist loop and forget that the material is not what generates the most memories and satisfaction, but rather it is the experiential. Therefore, let’s take the opportunity to give the gift of an excursion, a dinner, an followingnoon at the movies. If, on the other hand, we prefer to give gifts, let’s try to go ahead and buy them early and first thing in the morning or followingnoon to try to avoid crowds.
9- Let’s keep the routine
It is important that on non-designated days we can maintain daily sleeping, eating and sports habits, so that special days are the exception and not the norm.
10- In moments of crisis, let’s not forget to breathe
Before entering any of the family gatherings, let’s take a deep breath and remember that everything passes. Perhaps it is a good time to learn a technique that helps us deactivate ourselves, such as diaphragmatic breathing. It consists of breathing by bringing the air to the lowest part of the lungs, causing the abdominal area to swell a little (without raising the shoulders or expanding the chest), retaining the air in that position and releasing it little by little, sinking the abdomen slightly without move the chest It can be repeated 5 or 6 times in the morning and followingnoon to be trained when a critical moment arises. It is also useful to do some type of simple meditation that brings us back to the present.
(The Conversation)
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