How to Manage Your Anxiety Disorder During the Holidays

The holiday season adds a bit of stress and anxiety to all our lives. After all, the crowds, the expense and the never ending To Do lists can give even the most laid back and easygoing person a bout or two of anxiety. For those people who have a diagnosed anxiety disorder, the holidays can be a season to dread, rather than one to enjoy. I have had issues with anxiety all of my life, and have a few close friends and family members who suffer as well. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to make the holidays a bit more relaxed while dealing with an anxiety disorder.

Take Your Medication as Directed. This sounds like an obvious statement, but it can be very easy during the holidays to skip a dosage or two of medicine prescribed to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. The constant flurry of shopping, wrapping and partying can make it difficult to remember this very important task. If you take a daily dose of medication, put the pill bottle right next to your keys. You will not be able to leave your house in the morning without seeing the prescription bottle and being reminded to take your pill. If you only occasionally take medication to reduce the severity of an oncoming anxiety attack, be sure to keep them on your person at all times. You can excuse yourself from the activity for a moment to take your medication in discreet manner.

Keep Spending to a Minimum During the Holidays. It is easy to get caught up in a spending frenzy during the holiday season. However, if you are living on a budget as most of us are, the eventual anxiety from your overspending will rear it's ugly head. Leave your credit cards at home and take a friend with you when you go shopping to help keep you in check.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake During the Holiday Season. Many people with anxiety disorders self medicate with alcohol. Unfortunately, the initial relaxing nature of the alcohol invariably leads to depression and more anxiety. Overindulging can lead to extreme anxiety for some people once the alcohol wears off. Keep to your limit of one or two drinks to avoid paying a very big price later. Obviously, alcohol should be avoided altogether if anti anxiety medication was already taken during the day.

Be Aware of Situations that Trigger Anxiety. If crowds make you very nervous, try to do the bulk of your holiday shopping on line. If rowdy party people make your anxiety levels rise, politely decline an invitation to a friends' raucous New Year's Eve party. Be honest with yourself about what you can and can't deal with during the holidays. Don't allow guilt about what you think you should be able to handle, cause you to put yourself in situations that are too difficult for you. Pick and choose what activities and functions will bring you joy and a sense of condiment and enjoy them wholeheartedly. Avoid those that will unduly trigger your anxiety. If you are trying to push yourself to step out of your comfort zone and engage in experiences that you would otherwise avoid, that is certainly commendable. Work closely with the doctor who is treating you to come up with a game plan to keep pushing yourself, without being reckless. Unfortunately, moving too fast too soon can end up with you actually taking a few steps backward. Again, seek the advice of your doctor on how to find a comfortable balance between working through your anxiety disorder and trying to add too many new experiences into the holiday season too soon.

Indulge Yourself in Relaxing Activities Every Day. If reading for a half hour usually helps to quell any rising anxiety, be sure to find the time to do so. Call a friend if you feel an anxiety attack coming on. Take a relaxing bath surrounded by aromatherapy candles after a day of holiday shopping. Spend a few minutes meditating at the beginning of a hectic day filled with shopping, decorating and baking. Make the time to relax and rejuvenate during the stress of the season. Spending a little bit of time each day decompressing can go a long way towards keeping your anxiety to a manageable level during the holidays.