Handling Holiday Stress

Happy Holidays to All!

In these ever changing and challenging times, the Mental Health and Wellness Task Force of the Litigation Section would like to wish you a festive and restful holiday season. While many of us have a vision of the holidays as a happy time, this is not true for many people who experience them as highly stressful.

For many, the holidays bring a sense of happiness, opportunities to engage with family members and take time off to replenish and reflect on the year. For others, the holidays bring a sense of dread, loneliness, and personal and familial challenges that are more difficult to navigate. We must remember that the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, while festive, is filled with increased social interactions that may pose difficulties for many.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate these challenging times and start the New Year feeling more hopeful and optimistic:

1. The number one priority is daily self-care that allows you time to look forward to one thing a day, reduces stress levels, and gives you a chance to recharge your batteries. Find something that brings you joy and relaxation, whether it is taking a walk, taking a bath, reading a book, listening to your favorite music, or engaging in meditation or a mindfulness practice.
2. Learn to say no to doing things that don’t bring you joy and happiness and recognize that you have limited energy to accomplish a finite number of things. Honor that threshold, and don’t put more on your plate than you can handle, even if others place pressure on you to take part in additional activities. Saying no affords you a level of personal control, freedom, and choice, and overrides the people-pleasing tendencies that rob you of joy and pleasure.
3. Don’t set idealistic expectations about how you want things to go this holiday season. This may only leave you disappointed and depressed. Instead, recognize that realistic expectations allow you to find joy in perfect and imperfect moments throughout the holiday season. Sometimes, imperfect moments can bring you the greatest laughter and joy. They underscore the fact that imperfection is a normal part of life. Holding unrealistic expectations for daily life robs us of joy and happiness.
4. Try to stay focused on what really matters instead of viewing the holidays through a lens based on social media, holiday advertising, and gift giving. Be honest about what you can afford, and what you can physically and emotionally handle. Determine ways to demonstrate your care for people without financially or mentally depleting your resources. View the holidays as an opportunity for reflection, social interaction, and volunteering when family is not a healthy option.
5. Remember to do things in moderation and to stick as close to your normal routine as you possibly can related to food, exercise, and sleep. This will create the healthiest long-term outcome in the New Year. Limit your alcohol use as well, as this can become more problematic during the holiday season.
6. Seek help if you are unable to navigate these challenging times. There is no shame in saying that you may need additional support. It is a sign of courage and bravery to know your limits and tell a professional you require assistance. Lawyer Assistance Programs in many jurisdictions are excellent resources with connections to dedicated professionals who strive to help those in the legal profession achieve optimum health and wellness.

With much support and gratitude,

Dr. Diana