Managing Holiday Stress
How to handle stressful parents around the holidays
I have a patient, Ben, who used to dread heading home for the holidays. Due to the constant criticism from his parents, he and his family found it extremely difficult to relax and enjoy themselves. As soon as Ben walked through the door of his parents’ home, he felt...
10 foolproof ways to relieve holiday stress: budgeting, planning, admiring your Christmas tree, and more
The Christmas season is in full swing! You know what that means—plenty of holiday stimuli. Santa Claus runs rampant in your town, “Silent Night” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” blare from your radio, trees light every window, and horses disguised as...
Getting through the holidays in early addiction recovery: Be patient, talk to someone you trust, and set yourself up for success
This time of year is exciting and special for many, as families come together to celebrate the holidays. However, it isn’t exciting for all. In fact, it can be a very difficult time for people in addiction recovery. Here are a few common issues for those in recovery...
My parents don’t approve of my boyfriend, or want him around for Christmas
My parents do not approve of my relationship. I am 23 years old and I have lived with my boyfriend (who I plan to marry) since February 2019. Since then, I am constantly getting told that this was a bad decision and I am constantly being asked by my parents to leave...
Are you suffering from holiday stress? Ask yourself these 15 questions to minimize the stress and maximize the joy
Between shopping for gifts, preparing for lavish dinners, and having visiting relatives and friends, the holiday season creates more stress than we might realize. This can lead to feeling burned out, tired, cranky and it might even make us miss out on the joy that is...
Improve your mood this holiday season and all year-round by giving thanks
During the holiday season, there’s a distinct emphasis on giving thanks for all that we’re fortunate enough to have. But in trying to make the season festive, we often put unnecessary stress on ourselves and each other. As a result, we might not feel as merry as we...
A counselor’s quick tips for surviving the holidays and starting the new year off right
Let’s face it, sometimes the holidays aren’t always a time for fun and celebration. They can be a time of increased depression because we are alone, or they can be filled with anxiety because we have to be around family or people we don’t always get along with....
Survive (and Thrive) This Holiday Season: 11 Seriously Good Tips
The holiday season is a time for good cheer and merriment! Or is it? For many, the mention of Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year’s brings as many winces as it does smiles. The fact is, the holiday season can be as much of a burden as it is a celebration; and the...
