It’s the most wonderful time of the year… or is it? There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Let’s face it, the holidays are tough. Whether you’re navigating tricky family dynamics or simply feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of finding the perfect gift, many of us experience the holiday blues. What are some ways we can cope with the stresses of this time of year? 

For starters, we can work on managing our own expectations. We may never be capable of removing all stress from the holidays, but we can work on accepting the limitations of our time and budget. Travel around the holidays is also a huge issue. Many people feel stretched impossibly thin just to physically be present at celebrations. Then there’s the additional dynamics of whose family you’ll spend time with (more on how to navigate such compromises in our blog- Is There a Compromise?), honoring traditions vs forging new ones, overspending, and so much more. Of course, some of us have the opposite problem around the holidays. We may feel particularly alone or isolated. We may have lost a loved one and being without them at this time of year can be particularly hard. By focusing on the spirit of the season and speaking openly with our loved ones we may be able to truly appreciate the magic of the holidays or at least make it through this one no worse for the wear.