Why Are the Holidays So Stressful?

The holidays can be a time of joy and excitement as well as a time of stress and overwhelm. We are surrounded by images of picture perfect families celebrating the holidays, not a stressor in sight. The reality is, this is just that “an image”. For most of us, even if we enjoy the holidays, it is a source of stress for a variety of reasons. If you are feeling overwhelmed this holiday season,  you aren’t alone. 

Where Does All the Holiday Stress Come From?

Even if you are well aware that the holidays are stressful, you may still wonder why you are so stressed and even shame yourself about it. We say things to ourselves like “I should be happy”, “I have no reason to be stressed”, “I should be grateful”. The list can go on and on. This type of negative self-talk is rarely helpful and generally leads us to feeling even more overwhelmed. 

The holidays are often laden with unrealistic expectations. This can also contribute to stress and overwhelm. If you expect to be perfect and calm and full of holiday cheer for the entire season you are immediately setting yourself up for failure. These expectations can also be applied to others as well. If you expect others to be “perfect” you are certainly setting yourself up for a let down. 

In addition to unrealistic expectations and negative self-talk, most of us have very unrealistic beliefs about time management. There are only so many days in a month, yet many of us try to cram in thousands of activities. Not only is this unrealistic, it can be really unhealthy. 

Managing Holiday Overwhelm with the Right Therapist

The reality is, the holiday season is stressful. Another truth is that it often highlights anxiety and overwhelm that we are already experiencing on a daily basis. You may find that you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed after the holidays are over or that you were feeling this way leading up to the holidays. 

Stress and overwhelm are common. When left untreated, they often turn into anxiety and depression. This does not have to be the case for you. Therapy can help you to address your overwhelm and intervene before it takes over. When we ignore feelings of overwhelm they can easily lead to burnout. Don’t spend your holidays feeling crispy. 

Carolina Counseling Services in Southern Pines contracts with skilled, licensed therapists who can help you to target your stress, overwhelm and anxiety. You can process your feelings and learn valuable skills that can improve the quality of your life. Call CCS today to schedule your first appointment.