Does the most wonderful time of year make you feel more blah than fa-la-la?
The Goods Inside
- Unwrapping the Reality of Holiday Stress
- 5 Ways to Keep It Together When Holidays Hit
- Holi-Daze Survival Supplies
- Hope on the Horizon
The holiday season is brimming with societal pressures and
expectations (holiday scaries, anyone?) that can feel completely
overwhelming. Decking every hall, wrangling addresses to send "we’re alive!” cards, avoiding Uncle Jim's political banter, finding acceptable gifts
that don’t break the bank, sleeping at your in-law's house on pancake
pillows from 1972 — the list drones on and on.
28% of Americans say they’re experiencing more stress related to the holiday season.1
Unwrapping the Reality of Holiday Stress
If the urge to pull a blanket over your head and go total grinch mode sounds easier than the holiday hustle and bustle, you’re not alone. 28% of Americans say they are experiencing more stress related to the holiday season.1
Holiday stressors boil down to three main areas:
Talk about the trifecta of stressors. Finances aside, not all of us feel comfortable setting boundaries amidst ultrapersonal moments that cause your insides to turn over and palms to sweat. It’s what makes saying “no” to your grandma's homemade pie so hard, even though it’s made with lard and you’ve been vegan for 10 years. To some extent, we all have an inner people pleaser that wants to make sure everyone is taken care of, happy, content—joyful, even. Especially if they’re your people.
If that sounds relatable, we’re going to explore five seemingly invisible ways to give yourself a little self-compassion this holiday season. We promise they won’t require you to stir the family drama pot or cause a scene at your work party.
5 Ways to Keep It Together When the Holidays Hit
1. Take a Recharging Beat
Carve out some “me time” whenever you can. It doesn’t have to be a full hour or an extravagant outing, try a brisk walk around the block to focus on breathing and grounding yourself in your surroundings.
If you can't sneak away, volunteer to take out the garbage and tack on a few extra minutes to yourself outside. Taking deep breaths of fresh air and being somewhere quiet can help counteract the holiday chaos, even if only for a few moments.
2. Celebrate Being There, Not Being Perfect
Just being present with the ones you love is more important than having a picture-perfect tablescape. Practice just being there. In the present. With your people.
It really doesn’t matter if the napkins don’t match. Or if you run out of stemmed glassware and end up drinking wine out of a sippy cup. You can enjoy a meal with your crew all the same. Besides, sippy cups are a lot harder to spill than delicate wine glasses.
3. Pump The Comparison Brakes
If scrolling your For You Page makes you feel like garbage, ditch it. Unfollow accounts on social that bring up feelings of inadequacy. If you’re worried about what someone will think if you unfollow them, there’s a very convenient mute button on most platforms that can do wonders for your mental space. Just because they post it doesn't mean you have to like it—or even see it.
4. Keep Your Inner Critic In Check
The mind is a magical place where one thing rings true no matter what: You get to choose which thoughts you give energy to. By intentionally reframing your not-so-kind thoughts and guiding your mind toward positive ones without judgement puts you in control of your mental and emotional experience. You have the strength to do that, always.
5. Let Your Circle In
Dealing with feelings of loss and grief around the holidays can feel isolating and overwhelming. If you’re not up to being holly jolly, then tell your peeps you can’t make it. No need for excuses, your friends and family are on your side. Chances are if you’re riding a grief wave, you’re not the only one surfing the swell. Allowing your inner circle in when you feel all the feels can be the greatest act of self-compassion. You don’t have to go at it alone, and you certainly don’t have to go to the gathering if you’re not feeling up to it.
Think about your mental and emotional energy as if they were your best friends, the ones you instinctually take care of like an uncontrollable reflex. What does she need? Remind her that she’s spectacular and she deserves to protect her peace this season, just like everyone else she cares for without hesitation.
Holi-Daze Survival Supplies
If you need a little support keeping your cool or catching elusive Zzz's on an air mattress in your auntie’s basement, OLLY has some science-backed solutions that can help.
Goodbye Stress
Recommended for surviving in-law season with minimal bickering, or so we hope (for your sake). L-Theanine and GABA start working within 30-60 minutes to support a relaxed state of mind in moments of occasional stress.*
Relaxing Magnesium
Reach for these tasty bites when your nervous system is buzzing or your shoulders feel all kinds of tight from doing it all, and then some. Magnesium Citrate will help manage those holiday stressors, aide in muscle relaxation, and support your nervous system.*
Sleep
Grab these when your mind is racing and you’re away from your oh-so-cozy bed. Melatonin and L-Theanine come together to help mellow your mind, calm your senses, relax into slumber, and wake up feeling refreshed.*
Hope on the Horizon
Even amidst the seasonal chaos, Americans are still finding the bright spots. 41% of people said they look forward to seeing family and friends and 24% said they look forward to eating good food.1 Proof that we cherish a good family reunion as much as a friendsgiving celebration. Just remember to be kind to yourself during the end-of-year madness—and beyond.
References:
1 American Psychiatric Association. (2024, November 25). One quarter of Americans say they are more stressed this holiday season than in 2023, citing Financi. Psychiatry.org. https://www.psychiatry.org/News-room/News-Releases/One-Quarter-of-Americans-Say-They-Are-More-Stresse - New Window
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The Goods Inside
- Unwrapping the Reality of Holiday Stress
- 5 Ways to Keep It Together When Holidays Hit
- Holi-Daze Survival Supplies
- Hope on the Horizon
