Now for the hardest holiday stress: EMOTIONAL
No matter how fun the holidays are or how wonderful your family is; it is hard to live up to the hype.
Every family has issues and the holidays seem to magnify them.
Some of the symptoms of emotional stress are (according to Helpguide: Your Trusted Guide to Mental Health & Wellness.)
- Depression or general unhappiness
- Anxiety and agitation
- Moodiness, irritability, or anger
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Loneliness and isolation
- Other mental or emotional health problems
So how can you minimize emotional stress?
- Spend time with people who nurture you. Maybe that’s your friends or your co-workers or your neighbors. Do whatever you need to fit those people into your holiday schedule.
- Spend less time with people that make you miserable! This sounds easy but…they maybe your family and you may think you “should” be with them but it is probably not benefitting anyone.
- Find some time just for you. It is the season of giving but that means giving to yourself too. Take a hot bath, hike in nature, sit in a bookstore, breathe.
Many of our patients wish they took this more seriously over the years!
Heed the advice. I can guarantee that you will create more lasting, wonderful “Hallmark” memories, which is what we all think we want. Being less stressed gives you SPACE to enjoy your kids, your family, and the holidays in general.
We’re all in this together! Come in for an adjustment, a smile, and a laugh with our staff, get a massage.
We really love helping our patients feel better no matter what is going on. I hope to see you soon,
Dr. Julia Keiser
