As a wellness coach and EFT Practitioner, I understand the struggles that come with managing anxiety during holidays like Easter. The pressure to meet family expectations and the financial burden of gifts and events can be overwhelming. In this blog I offer strategies for dealing with anxiety to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable Easter.
Easter is a time for celebration and joy, but for some people, it can also be a time of anxiety – a common mental health condition that can cause feelings of worry, nervousness, and unease. It can be triggered by a variety of factors, including stress, trauma, and certain medical conditions. For some people, anxiety can be especially heightened around holidays like Easter.
There are a number of reasons why anxiety can be more common around Easter. For one, Easter is often a time of family gatherings and social obligations. This can be stressful for people who are already anxious, as they may feel pressure to perform by hosting family events and having to meet expectations.
Easter can also be a time of financial pressure as the cost of gifts, décor and groceries can add up. People may feel obligated to buy gifts for their loved ones, including chocolate eggs and treats for the kids, or they may worry about how they will afford to travel to see family and friends.
Additionally, past experiences and memories can trigger anxiety and make it difficult to enjoy the present moment. If someone has had a negative experience with Easter in the past, such as a traumatic event or a family conflict, they may be more likely to feel anxious during the holiday season.
If you’re prone to struggling with anxiety, practicing self-love and exercising self-care is key.
Self-care can include simple actions like taking some time ahead of the day to plan, budget and treat yourself kindly. There are a number of things you can do to help prepare for a stress-free Easter:
- Plan ahead. If you’re hosting Easter dinner and/or family members, delegate tasks and share responsibilities. You can also opt for a pot-luck style meal to reduce the burden of cooking.
- Set a budget and stick to it. Setting a budget can help alleviate financial stress.
- Spend time with loved ones. Make time to spend with loved ones who make you feel good and supported.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can both worsen anxiety symptoms.
- Get enough sleep. When you’re well-rested, you’re better able to cope with stress and anxiety.
- Eat healthy foods. Eating nutritious foods can help to improve your mood and energy levels, which can in turn help to reduce anxiety.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Set boundaries and realistic expectations. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have a perfect Easter. Remember that it’s okay to take things slow and enjoy the holiday at your own pace.
- Don’t try to please everyone. Prioritise what’s important to you.
Even with all the best of intentions and preparations, anxiety could still creep up on you.
Here are a few tips for coping with anxiety in the moment:
Communicate openly with someone you trust about how you are feeling. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or other trusted person who can help you to feel supported and understood. Talking about your anxiety can help you to feel less alone and can give you the support you need to cope. Social support can be very helpful for people struggling with anxiety.
Practice relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help to reduce anxiety and promote feelings of calmness. You can also try listening to calming music or spending time in nature.
When anxiety strikes, find a quiet space and practice deep breathing or meditation. You could also use progressive muscle relaxation techniques to release tension in your body. EFT is another great stress-relieving tool that helps to manage negative emotions and promotes relaxation to help you deal with anxiety as well as past trauma and memories. Have a look at my post on “Why you should try EFT Tapping” for more information on this technique and here for the tapping points and a step-by-step guide for using EFT to cope with anxiety in the moment.
If your anxiety is severe and you’re struggling to cope on your own, you may need to seek professional help. A therapist can provide you with additional support and guidance. They can also teach you coping mechanisms and help you to develop a treatment plan.
It is important to remember that you are not alone and that managing anxiety during Easter is possible with the right strategies and techniques. Set boundaries, manage expectations, prioritise self-care. Remember it’s okay to seek professional support or to talk to family and friends about how you feel. With these strategies, you can make the most of the Easter holiday and create new happy memories.
There is help available if you need it and if you would like further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or seek professional help.
