4 signs that holiday stress is getting to you
4 minute read
low morale, irritability and feeling hopeless are all emotional signs that you’re overwhelmed with stress. getty
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the holiday season is stressful at the best of times. worrying about money, family obligations, travel, overeating, and all the other super fun parts of the holidays can bring down the cheer. add covid-19 into the mix, and everyone’s anxiety level goes through the roof.
but humans are adaptable creatures, and sometimes we power through tough times without stopping to recognize when life and stress are getting the best of us.
a stress overload can manifest itself in many ways, so it’s important to recognize the signs. here are some of the telltale effects of stress — and some ideas for how to beat it.
chronic stress can lead to mental health problems
stress is a normal human reaction to the world around us, and symptoms can be wide-ranging, from mild to severe. small doses of stress are normal and can even be helpful when it comes to motivation, deadlines, and keeping us alert in dangerous situations. but if the stress become chronic and persists over a long period of time, it can lead to an increased risk of mental health problems such as depression, addiction, sleep problems and pain.
sometimes, the stress we experience can affect the way we think. this can show up as memory problems, constant worrying, difficulty making decisions or concentrating, lacking self-confidence or a negative attitude.
these are cognitive symptoms of stress, according to toronto’s centre for addiction and mental health (camh).
watch your mood
stress can also affect how we feel. according to camh, moodiness, low morale, irritability, feeling hopeless, feeling apprehensive, anxiety, nervousness, agitation, inability to relax and feeling depressed, guilty, or unhappy are all emotional signs that you’re overwhelmed with stress.
anger, sadness and fear are other emotional symptoms of stress. some degree of sadness is normal, of course — but the problem comes when the underlying reasons for the stress interferes with our ability to live our lives normally.
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listen to your body
physical symptoms of stress can vary widely from person to person, and may be more difficult to identify as stress than emotional or cognitive symptoms. if we feel depressed or sad and are having problems at work or in our relationships, it can be quite easy to identify the issue — but it may not be immediately clear that your headaches or gastrointestinal issues are caused by stress.
according to the cleveland clinic, some of the physical clues that you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress include, aches and pains, chest pain or feeling like your heart is racing, trouble sleeping or exhaustion, headaches or dizziness and a low sex drive.
how are you coping?
behavioural symptoms associated with overwhelming stress can have dire consequences. in order to cope with stress, some people turn to drugs and alcohol, gambling, sex, overeating, smoking or even shopping.
stress is subjective, and the symptoms can be mild. having one cigarette or engaging in occasional retail therapy isn’t going to hurt in the moment. but if these behavioural symptoms become chronic, they can be destructive or even life-threatening.
other behavioural symptoms could include social withdrawal, neglecting family or work responsibilities or engaging in nervous habits such as hair pulling, teeth grinding or nail biting.
how to limit stress
practicing self-care should become a priority for everyone, especially around the stressful holiday season.
set healthy boundaries with family or friends to prioritize your sleep, time and relaxation so you don’t wear yourself out. it’s important to be able to say “no,” even to the people you love, if it means making your mental health a priority.
take that time for yourself to do things that relax you such as reading a book, taking a bath, listening to calming music, exercising, going for a walk, doing yoga, meditating, or sleeping.
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limiting screen time and time on social media can be helpful in reducing stress, as well as making sure to eat properly. there’s nothing wrong with indulging during the holidays but know that nutrition is an important part of maintaining your mental and physical health.
set daily goals for yourself so you don’t feel overwhelmed with work and can more easily tackle your daily to-do list.
limiting alcohol and caffeine while making sure to get plenty of sleep can also be a big help to reduce stress levels. connect with people who keep you calm or make you happy, and make sure to consult with a doctor or mental health professional if you’re too overwhelmed or find yourself turning to drugs and alcohol to cope.
nick beare is a toronto-based freelance writer. he can be reached here.
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