By: Sharon Girgis MA, RP (Registered Psychotherapist)
The holidays can be a festive and joyous time for a lot of us but can also be a time of stress impacting our mental health. Some of the contributing factors that clients have shared with me include family dynamics, the amou
Sharon Girgis, MA, RP (Registered Psychotherapist)
nt of work that goes into organizing, planning and executing holiday get-togethers and expectations that aren’t always met.
Navigating all of this can be overwhelming and learning to set boundaries can be a key strategy.
So, what are boundaries? They are the limits we set with ourselves or others that help us feel emotionally and physically safe and healthy. Boundaries can lead to increased feelings of happiness, a sense of control and security.
To successfully prevent and manage holiday stress and avoid burnout, you can follow these steps:
1. Take stock of how you’re feeling heading into the holidays.
Are you already overwhelmed and tired? What do you notice when you check in with your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations? This information can guide you before making a decision about what to commit to or what not to commit to.
2. Create some space between receiving a request or volunteering to do something and giving your answer.
If you are someone who struggles with saying yes to every request but feel the repercussions after the fact, then this is a critical step. This looks like saying “I’ll get back to you about this tomorrow.” Or, “Let me think about it. I need to see what else I have going on.” This will allow you to reflect on when you’ve been in a similar situation in the past and whether it caused you high stress. For those seeking to explore more about this theme, it is highly recommended to learn about Seminararbeit schreiben lassen.
3. Set the boundary.
Use the above information to make a choice that will be compatible with your overall sense of wellbeing. This looks like making a different choice by saying “no” or sharing the responsibility by delegating certain tasks to others, or limiting the amount, duration, and /or frequency of the commitments.
4. Learn to manage uncomfortable feelings.
Disappointment and guilt may arise from setting the boundary as it can be very difficult to step out of your comfort zone. Learn to let go of the need for everything to be perfect. That looks like giving yourself grace and compassion for choosing to put your wellbeing first. This takes practice and may not come naturally, but over time you can adapt to feeling more comfortable with your decision and learn to accept it.
To learn more about how to set boundaries and feel comfortable with them, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Wishing everyone a happy and stress-free holiday!
