Holiday Stress at Bay for Young Adults
Holidays bring fun and joy – and also a fair amount of stress! Decorating, holiday visits, and shopping for gifts can be overwhelming for all family members. You may notice that your adult child with special needs is feeling overwhelmed and stressed out but they are having trouble articulating how they are feeling. It can be helpful to have a conversation about how feeling anxious during the holiday season is a very common experience.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Something you can’t see or touch but can definitely feel.
The name for Tension in your mind and body.
A Reaction to things that are new, different or overwhelming.
It’s Especially common during the holiday season.
A Source of headaches and stomachaches.
Something you can learn to handle!
A little stress isn’t bad. Sometimes stress is good because it can energize you to get up in the morning and get to work or school on time. But too much stress can make you feel sick, tired, sad and worried.
The following are strategies when you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out:
STRESS MESS: Everything annoys you and you want to scream
STRATEGY: Take some time alone, put on headphones, close your eyes and imagine you are in your favorite place in the world.
STRESS MESS: Your feel restless, frantic and jumpy.
STRATEGY: Do something positive with your energy; go for a run or a long walk. If you are at work or in school, take a bathroom break or get a drink of water.
STRESS MESS: You can’t stop worrying, even about unrealistic things.
STRATEGY: Do something creative like draw or paint, bake cookies, listen to music, go for a walk.
10 DAILY WAYS TO KEEP STRESS AT BAY:
- Be active – exercise lifts your spirits and helps you feel relaxed.
- Eat healthy foods – a healthy body fights stress better.
- Avoid caffeine – it makes a person feel more edgy.
- Get enough sleep each night – you will feel more relaxed when you wake up.
- Laugh!
- Be neat – being organized helps you feel in control.
- Express your feelings – unlock your voice and unlock your stress.
- Be a planner – it will help you feel in control of your day.
- Talk to someone about your problems – you will feel better.
- Take a moment each day to feel gratitude.