'Strive for mediocrity this Christmas’ and other ways to manage holiday stress

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the holidays, don’t fret — experts say there are plenty of ways to help mitigate stress this season.

Acknowledging this time of year isn’t always joyful for everyone is a good place to start, said Ariella Aburto, a social worker with Nova Scotia Health.

"The holidays are complicated, right?" she said Friday. "It can be a time of closeness and celebration, but it can be a time of a lot of financial pressure, feelings of loneliness, of grief."

If you’re feeling anxious, Aburto recommends making a game plan to help you get through the harder moments, whether it's feelings of isolation or anxiety around family visits.

"I always encourage folks to make plans to socialize," she said. "That could be with a friend, with a family member, but it could also be a local holiday community event."

Self-care is also key, Aburto says, and it's important to make time for yourself — to rewatch a favourite movie or take a warm bath — amidst the hubbub of the season.

There's always time to make new traditions as well, said Aburto, and if this year is a tough one financially, it's OK to get creative.

Instead of going into debt buying gifts, for instance, Aburto recommends personalized presents, like freshly baked cookies, crafts or handmade cards.

"We always encourage people to work with what they can," she said.

'Strive for mediocrity this Christmas'

David Maginley, a psychospiritual therapist in Halifax, said we should stop pursuing perfection and "strive for mediocrity this Christmas" instead.

"If you focus on getting it all together, then you're going to increase your anxiety and your stress," he said in an interview with Information Morning Nova Scotia earlier this week.

There can be plenty of triggers this time of the year, including stress, but it’s important to focus on being present and not get too bogged down worrying about getting everything just right, said Maginley.

"Be gentle with yourself and your thoughts and your expectations and then move with an ease that is grounded in gratitude," he said.

MORE TOP STORIES