Coping With Holiday Stress

Why a Child's Building Block Set Can Help You In Coping With Holiday Stress If You're a Child Abuse Survivor

Have you ever seen a child's building block set? Think about a pile of Legos or some other similar building blocks. It's just a heap of plastic until the kid starts to put it together. They might make a big tower out of it, or if they're more sophisticated, they might try building a castle in the sky. Heck, nowadays, the Lego blocks are so sophisticated you can make a detailed jet plane model or alien spaceship.

The point is, a kid can create anything he or she wants to through the power of their imagination and their own hands. Ah, if only life were that simple. If only coping with holiday stress were that simple.

 

If only you could just build whatever kind of holiday you wanted, that would help in coping with holiday stress wouldn't it?

You see, you as a child abuse survivor may not have the luxury of spending time with loved ones for the holiday. Perhaps your dad was an alcoholic, your mom walked out and never looked back when you were young, or you would just can't handle the thought of another dysfunctional holiday with certain relatives. The holidays might feel very stressful for you.

Naturally, everyone at work or at school will be talking about what they did over the holiday, and you might feel a little ashamed that your holiday plans won't be nearly as exciting or joyous. I know, because I've been there.

Yes, you might be sad. I'm not going to try and tell you to fake a smile if you feel down. You do need to express your sadness in order to stay real and be happy again. But there are things you can do to help yourself in coping with holiday stress. In fact, by being forced to re-create a holiday that's meaningful to you because of the abuse, you get the ultimate chance to rebuild the holidays the way you want them to be. Think of yourself like a kid with the ultimate box of Legos.

Here are some ideas for helping yourself in coping with holiday stress and building a holiday you enjoy.

Short Term Holiday Stress Tips & Coping Strategies

1. Exercise. Exercise releases feel good chemicals. Go for a jog around the block, hit the gym, or whatever helps you get moving.
2. Watch a comedy or a movie that makes you happy. Laughter actually reduces the level of stress hormones in your body and is beneficial for your immune system.
3. Eat healthy. Try not to binge. If you're dining alone over the holidays, make something healthy for yourself. Eating too much junk can leave you feeling lethargic and not in the best of moods.
4. Try some relaxation techniques that complement your lifestyle and allow you to better cope with holiday stress at home. Click on the previous link to learn more about yoga, breathing techniques, meditation, feng shui, aromatherapy, and other techniques.
5. Re-create your own traditions. Start a fun, meaningful tradition for yourself. If you're a Christian who wants to celebrate Christmas and your family never put up a Christmas tree, consider putting one up for yourself and your kids. Or if you're Jewish and you celebrate Hanukkah, light a menorah.
6. Can you think of anything you can do that would help you cope?

Long Term Strategies

1. Try spending some time with a friend or family member that you actually like. Invite them over for dinner or suggest you do something over the holidays.
2. Don't be afraid to spend a holiday by yourself. If you're lonely as it is, this may be tough. But you can make it better. Use it as a time of reflection. Think about what you're grateful for and your future goals. What do you want for the holidays, and ultimately, your life?
3. Learn to cultivate the power of positive thinking in your life.

But what if you're in a place right now where you don't have friends or family members and you feel depressed about spending the holidays alone?

I'm sorry. That sucks. I understand, believe me. But that's why it's critical to focus on what you can do now to make things better. Implement the short term strategies for now. As for the long term strategies, you have to start taking action now so that you will be able to spend time with people you like and become more comfortable with yourself so that being by yourself isn't depressing.

1. If you don't have anyone you can turn to in life, then I suggest enrolling in therapy. A good therapist will help you heal and learn how to create healthy relationships in your life.
2. Write down what your ideal holiday would be. You can't create a life you want if you don't know what you want. Even if it's not clear to you, take a shot anyway. You'd be surprised how much better it can get once you take aim.
3. Now decide: what is one thing you can do right now to create that ideal holiday? It doesn't have to be long or complex, it could be something as simple as find the telephone number of a therapist to help yourself.

 

Yes, unlike a kid with Legos, building your castle in the sky will take time.

It does take time to heal from abuse. It takes time to re-create a holiday season that you want to celebrate. It may not be a stress free holiday, but it can be one that you were happy and proud to have built. Just like a kid, you can do it with your imagination and your own two hands. It doesn't matter where you're starting out. It just matters that you start.

Return from Coping with Holiday Stress to Psychology and Mental Health Articles

Return from Coping with Holiday Stress to Home Page

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua?...

Keep up with the latest news and information for your growth and recovery. Subscribe to the ZenTactics Newsletter and receive 3 FREE Gifts!

This newsletter is packed with valuable tips and advice for abuse survivors, with feature articles to help you. I NEVER spam and you you can unsubscribe at any time.

Your kind donations will keep this Free Website and its related Blog and Newsletter going & growing...
P.S. The average donation is $5...