Anxiety + Holidays

by Sarah Boberg on November 24, 2021

For my friends who struggle with anxiety this holiday season, from real life experience:

1. DO NOT neglect your self-care. I know it gets busy, but you know these things matter. Take the medicine. Exercise. Rest. Pray. Get the pedicure. Eat the chocolate. Snuggle up and watch the Hallmark movie. Do the things that help you be your best self.

2. It is okay to say "NO." You know yourself. You know your limits. It is okay to not do all the things. If you are a people pleaser with anxiety this is somewhat of a no-win situation, but lean to the side of healthy boundaries.

“Do the things that help you be your best self.”

3. Take a time out. There are times I get overwhelmed in the moment. I have learned a 5 to 10 minute time-out helps. Go to another room. Lay down. Take a walk outside in the fresh air. Put in your ear pods and listen to your favorite Broadway musical. Take a break and then get back in there. Most the time no one will notice you are gone or will just think your stomach could not handle the holiday spread, either way they will probably not say a thing.

4. Notify a trusted person. Confide in your partner, sibling, or BFF. Come up with a code word or secret sign that notifies that person you are beginning to feel all the things. This way your person can help, will take care of things if you need a time out, and you will not feel all alone.

5. Breathe. Deep breaths help, always in every situation. Breathing reminds me of the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. #holyspiritactivate

Happy Holidays friends on this mental health journey with me. We know this season will bring its challenges and its joys. It is okay to hold both of those, challenges and joys, together. (P.S. Pretty sure Mary and Joseph held challenges and joys together when Jesus was born!)

#motherhoodandministry #reallife

Sarah is Minister of Spiritual Formation, Children, and Families at Ox Hill Baptist Church in Chantilly, VA. The blog above is reposted from Sarah’s Facebook page with permission.