30 Holiday Self-Care Ideas for Anxious Humans

Because life is better when you love yourself

1. First things first, especially during these Covid times, it is 100% ok to not attend any or even all Holiday gatherings you are invited to. Your health and well-being come before anyone’s desire to have you show up.

2. Don’t try and tell yourself that somehow this year will be the year you don’t get anxious or triggered. That’s setting yourself up to feel even more anxious if your anxiety symptoms do flare-up.

3. Give yourself permission that if you experience increased anxiety or are triggered, you are capable of managing the flare-up, even if managing it means cancelling everything and having a good cry under the covers. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human.

4. If small talk wears you, avoid talking with strangers and those who only engage on that surface level.

5. If diving into deep conversations is too much for you, avoid those who insist on the deep dives, or refuse to dive with them when they begin — stick to small talk — you don’t owe anyone your private and deep thoughts.

6. If giving gifts causes your anxiety to soar, consider making donations in the recipients’ names instead. Also, you have permission to consider declaring this a gift-giving free holiday for you.