The Holiday Hurdle: Coping with the Stress of a New Year
It’s that time of year again. The holidays are over and a new year has begun. For many people, this is a time of excitement and anticipation. But for others, it’s a time of stress and anxiety. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of a new year, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips for coping with the stress of a new year.
Why New Year’s Stress Is Worse Than Christmas Stress
When celebrating holidays, most of us are familiar with the stress that comes along with Christmas. Watching family members squabble over gifts, frantically trying to get everything done in time, and all the general chaos that goes along with a big holiday party. But what about New Year’s?
New Year’s is just as hectic – if not more so – than Christmas. The frantic rush to make sure everything is perfect before the clock strikes midnight can be incredibly stressful. And even if you manage to put together a spectacular NYE bash, odds are you’ll still feel stressed out in January.
Numerous studies have shown that New Year’s celebrations are worse than Christmas ones when it comes to inducing stress. This is likely due to expectations we have for the new year – from resolutions we hope will change our lives for the better to plans we made with friends that may not materialize as planned. It can be hard enough having high expectations for ourselves during any other time of year, but on top of all this pressure at New Year’s? Forget it!
So how do you avoid holiday stress?
First and foremost, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. If something isn’t possible or realistic, don’t waste your energy stressing over it. You’ll only feel worse and no closer to achieving your goals. Besides, who wants an unhappy holiday season??? Secondly, take some time for yourself now and then. Spend quality time with loved ones without worrying about chores or errands piling up, or planning events where you know nothing will go according to plan (which admittedly happens every year…) Try to relax and enjoy yourselves.
