Anxiety isn’t helped by the festive season, you may have to see too many people, go to places or events you’d rather avoid, or simply don’t have the energy to cope with all the extra work that comes with relaxing and enjoying a huge meal and time with your loved ones and friends.
What to do?
Meditation is something someone with anxiety should be making a regular habit. Once you learn to meditate you will be able to take yourself into a state of relaxation sitting in a busy place with both eyes wide open, because you will know what it feels like to be relaxed. Remember to start by listening to beautiful music, there are many great tracks out there including nature sounds, and just learning to listen to the music and really hear it.
Stop and think. You might feel pressured to be a kitchen wizard at Christmas, or have loads of people over for a meal, but if you’re struggling then your mental health comes first. You must say no if you need to, or say that you’d love a get together but it will be on another day, or later on Christmas day with simple nibbles available. The people who love you will accept it.
Ask the family to help you with preparations, and flatly refuse to lift a finger if they don’t, that should work. It’s one year, it won’t hurt them, and they might have fun. You could encourage them to try making part of the meal and create something they’d like to try. You can grab dusters and have a race with a prize at the end for who can dust a room the fastest; properly and without breaking anything. Ask for help, be creative, your recovery is to their benefit.
Do NOT fall into the trap of feeling that you’re ruining Christmas by being anxious, you will be anxious for a reason and it’s not for anyone else to judge that reason. If those around you want you to feel better, and you want to feel better, then you might just have to put yourself first, or make a few changes, so that you can continue your voyage of recovery. The sacrifice of one year to not normal will pay dividends in the long run.
Remember
Nothing is more important than feeling good.
It really is as simple as that, and if you won’t help you then no one else can.
To your happiness
Enjoy the festive season
You deserve it!
Deb xx
Deb Hawken 