Holidays, great as they might be, can turn out to be one of the most overwhelming periods of the year. They often involve a lot of spending, bustling cities, and nostalgic feelings. While a large percentage of people love the overwhelming feeling that comes with holidays, others need help coping with it.  

If you’ve realized you get anxious during Christmas, New Year, Easter or any other holiday, you should know there is absolutely nothing strange or abnormal about it. It is normal to feel anxious about a sudden, temporary change in your routines and with some simple tips, you can successfully get through the holidays. 

Tips which can help you get through the holidays include: 

1. Stick to your routines 

Sticking to your routines can help you maintain a feeling of normalcy.  

Holidays often have a way of changing routines, but if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the holiday, it’s best you remain with your regular routines. A sudden change in your routine can make you feel stressed during the holidays.  

2. Make a budget 

Asides routines, holidays also have a way of making people overspend. For example, you have a plan to host some work colleagues at your office for a Christmas dinner. While shopping you might get carried away and suddenly begin buying Christmas decorations to make your home more Christmasy. Avoid doing this by making a budget for every activity during the holidays and sticking to it.  

Overspending on holidays can add to your anxiousness of the holidays. If you find a way to avoid it, you might feel more comfortable each holiday. 

3. Keep a realistic mindset 

Holidays in movies are significantly different from how they turn out to be in reality. Try not to go into the holidays with the mindset that your holiday should be picture perfect.  

This could lead to a major disappointment or put pressure on you to attempt more than you should for a holiday. Holidays are a time of the year to share love and be happy, hence avoid anything which can ruin it for you. 

4. Surround yourself with loved ones 

Being with loved ones has a way of keeping everyone happy. It is important to keep in mind that family isn’t necessarily the only ones who can keep you happy during the holidays. So if you don’t have a family, but you have friends you enjoy being around, you can plan activities together for the holidays.  

With loved ones, you feel no pressure to create a “perfect” holiday and can be happy.  

5. You don’t have to attend everything 

This tip is so important. Some people spend their holidays going from one party or event to the next, that they become overwhelmed and exhausted by it. This adds to the anxious feeling that crawls in at the thought of holidays.  

During holidays you can make a schedule on what activities to attend and what time to stay home and enjoy your company.  

Holidays take place for just a few days in a year. With these tips listed above, you will certainly get through them with a smile on your face!