Many people consider Christmas the most wonderful time of the year, but for some, Christmas is the most stressful season that can trigger anxiety and depression.
From shopping for gifts amidst the crowded mall to preparing a picture-perfect holiday gathering and budgeting to accommodate all the holiday essentials, these activities may really trigger Christmas blues and may affect your holiday celebrations.
Why do I get Christmas Blues?
Let's face it: Christmas is the most anticipated season of the year but also the most stressful one. It is natural for us to dream of a perfect Christmas, but we often set unrealistic expectations for ourselves, making us trapped in stressful planning. However, there are different reasons why we get Christmas blues during the holiday season:
- Missing loved ones, especially if you are celebrating the holiday season overseas.
- Pressure on hosting a holiday gathering for friends and family.
- Budgeting for gifts and holiday essentials.
- Decorating the house into a holiday-themed space.
- Preparing holiday meals.
- Holiday rush if you did not plan ahead of time.
If you catch yourself in the middle of these common holiday stressors, chances are higher that you might experience Christmas blues and not enjoy the joyful season anymore.
Ways to Beat the Christmas Blues
The first step in avoiding Christmas blues is to take positive steps. Yes, the holiday season is stressful, but keep in mind that Christmas blues are short-term, so be kind to yourself and start taking care of yourself.
Set Realistic Expectations
Sometimes, we cannot help but dream of a perfect-picture Christmas day and often set unrealistic expectations for the holiday season. Why not manage our expectations and be practical when planning the Christmas gathering? We may not give the best of the best, but our friends and loved ones will still appreciate your effort in preparing the gathering and gifts for them.
Create Realistic Budgets
From holiday decor, gift shopping, and planning for holiday meals, we often turn a blind eye and go beyond our budget to give the perfect Christmas gathering for our loved ones. Giving the best of the best is fine; however, make sure that it won't make you feel blue and stressed. Budgeting is the most stressful factor for the Christmas season and all the time. So, plan and stick to your budget, and learn to say no if it's unimportant.
Manage Time Wisely
Holiday rush gives us so much stress that we often catch ourselves in the middle of all the holiday chores, not knowing what to do first. So, before you execute your preparations, get a mini notebook and make a planner and to-do lists to accomplish everything one step at a time without stressing yourself out.
Plan Ahead
Keep in mind that the holiday rush will be well-avoided if you plan your preparations ahead of time.
Take Care of Yourself
If you feel tired and overwhelmed, learn to ask for help and take a rest once in a while.
Prioritise Your Sleep
Do not compromise your sleep and make it a priority amidst the holiday preparations. Make sure you have optimal sleep every night to renew your energy in the morning so you'll have the courage to accomplish your holiday tasks again.
Avoid Christmas Blues with Cosy and Healthy Sleeping Environment
Christmas blues may be short-term and may eventually pass. But if you don't manage your emotions and your holiday activities well, your simple Christmas blues may put you at risk for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which may prolong the episodes of depression and holiday anxiety during the festive season.
But do not wait for your Christmas blues to turn into SAD and take action as early as now. Why not start with creating a cosy and healthy sleeping environment?
You can fight holiday stress with proper sleep, a comfortable mattress, and bedding. This way, you can help your body rejuvinate and be ready for what's to come. The fluffy component of memory foam mattresses, the hypoallergenic property of latex mattresses, the bouncy feel of innerspring mattresses, and the combination of both worlds of hybrid mattresses may be the answer and save you from holiday anxiety.
Remember, sleep is the foundation of joyful mornings and is our optimal sleep. So, to avoid Christmas blues, prioritise your sleep and gift yourself a restful night's sleep with a cosy and healthy sleeping environment this Christmas season.
An Important Reminder: Healthy Sleep, Healthy Mind.