How to manage holidays anxiety?

Summer holidays are around the corner, and many of us are preparing travel arrangements, meetings with our friends, or welcoming relatives over to our house. This can cause a lot of stress and anxiety at a time when everyone is looking to relax and enjoy their time. For this reason, it is important to take care of your emotions first, to give your best for everyone around you. 

Look at these tips that can ease your mind and brighten up your mood during the holiday!

• Awkward Conversations that can ruin your day

There are always so many things happening in the world, especially after these years of health and humanitarian crisis that we all want to express our feelings, opinions, and concerns. However, it is important to identify when a conversation had become unproductive or unpleasant so you can stop it or redirect it. This allows you to reorganize your thoughts and adjust your emotions. In addition, making a pause and stepping out from an award conversation reduces the chances of saying things you may regret. You can always express your feeling when your head is cool.

Having different points of view with relatives can be cumbersome but remember everyone is entitled to an opinion and it's okay to disagree.

Don’t let these “awkward conversations” take down your energy.

• Assertive communication

Assertive communication is a fundamental skill for living together. This type of communication allows us to dialogue with calm and respect. Expressing what we want to say, but without hurting the feelings of other people. Start by describing the problem to your partner as simply as possible, make sure the other person understands what you are saying, be aware of your body language including posture, tone, and facial expressions (this goes both ways).

In each opportunity for argument try to remember these mantras.

-        I am open to compromise

-        I would make alternative plans work

-        I respect the other person

-        I have an open body posture

Take a breath!... and reconnect with your inner center.

Assertive communication improves your self-esteem and other relationships. It also helps you to make better decisions. Make assertive communication a habit, express your feelings clearly, and reduce unnecessary tensions.

• Real expectations

The end of the school year is loaded with school presentations, farewell parties, and the closure of extracurricular activities and therapies. The rhythm of life changes. Don't be surprised if your child is sleepy, or just wants to relax. Perhaps your child is not into the holiday spirit or is not prepared for all the activities you plan for him/her. Holidays are great for resting too, not everything has to be exciting and full of new experiences.

• Self-care routine

Most of us look forward to the holiday season because it means that we will have a break from work, school, and other routine activities. However, the holidays bring with them more preparation, planning, events, meeting with people, hustle, and bustle, and at the end of it, it seems that you have not taken a break at all.

Take advantage of this holiday to start that personal care practice that you have always wanted but never had the “time for”. Self-care can go from reading, exercising, meditating, buying something special for yourself, having enough sleep or a nice cup of coffee in your favorite place, and maintaining relationships to name a few. It is important to include these practices into our daily routines and make them a habit. Give yourself time to focus on your own emotional needs.

Don't keep postponing it, do it now for yourself. Practice self-care during this holiday season and come back to school/work refreshed and energized.