Are you dreading Christmas and the craziness that surrounds it? Maybe your warm and tingley feelings inside are really the beginning of an ulcer and not Christmas joy? If you are feeling overwhelmed about the upcoming holidays, you are not alone.
Overwhelming anxiety; that is how I used to describe Christmas. I now love Christmas. I actually have a Christmas music CD that I play all year. I tell people the cats enjoy it, but really I love it. Why the 360 turn around? What changed? Me, I changed. I got rid of the anxiety by making Christmas what it's supposed to be; a religious or spiritual holiday. A time when we are nicer to people. A time we need to be nicer to ourselves. We put so much pressure on ourselves to buy gifts, send cards, have parties etc. It is just overwhelming.
That is not the only anxiety. It is the worst time of year to be alone, and/or to feel alone. If you are a single person or not surrounded by a family or friends, it can be the darkest time of the year. We feel pressure to have a good Christmas, to receive and give gifts and to have great dinners and parties. But what if there is no one to give gifts to or have dinner with? Enter again anxiety.
I have 10 great ways to cope with the holiday season, embrace just one and see your Christmas spirit rise and your anxiety go down.
10. If you send cards, begin early. If you are running late and just cannot seem to get it together to get them out, go green and send e-cards. Also, make a list, date it and stick to it.
9. No money for gifts? No problem, make your gifts or put a price limit on spending. Within your family and friends pick names and get one gift. Or get together and donate to a charity. No money to donate? That's okay; donate your time, which is even more precious and needed.
8. Alone and no invite for Xmas dinner? Why don't you make dinner and be the host, and invite others. Or, volunteer at a shelter serve dinner to others in need. You will feel fabulous helping others feel great.
7. If you work shifts, offer to work during the holidays and then take time off when you really want to, not when you feel you have to.
6. Make Christmas your own. Do a theme tree. Come up with new traditions. Have an open house or a cookie exchange. Don't cook turkey, have something completely different, save a turkey!
5. Take a vacation, but don't leave town. Rent a cottage close by or stay the night in a fancy hotel, fun!
4. Plan a mini home project, redecorate a room or even knit that sweater you've been thinking about.
3. Visit or volunteer at a shelter. Or ask your local church or community center if they know of anyone who is unable to get out this Christmas, that you could help out. Be Santa to them.
2. Join a Christmas group, like a carolling group, church choir, etc. Get out and get involved, embrace your inner elf.
1. Be a mall Santa and catch the Christmas fever from children.
The real secret to having a relaxed Christmas is knowing that it is about what you make it, not about what everyone else makes it. Christmas is a feeling, not a party or a hangover. It is about feeling passion and compassion for yourself and others. It is about re-evaluating your life for the arrival of the New Year. It really is about peace on earth, and just as important, peace within.
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