Is the holiday season the most wonderful time of the year? Or the most stressful time of the year? It can be both.
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Member Assistance Program hosted a free webinar this week to provide tools for navigating the holiday season, which can be stressful for a variety of reasons.
“The holidays are meant to be a fun and enjoyable time, but stress is most likely to happen. It’s a matter of how to mitigate that,” said Shaunta Clark, a senior counselor at Charles Nechtem Associates, which administers the assistance program.
Holiday stress can come from a wide range of factors including stressful schedules, seasonal affective disorder, work deadlines, pressure people put on themselves, loneliness or too much family time, and excessive spending, eating or drinking.
The signs and symptoms of stress can lead to feelings of nervousness or anxiety, fatigue, headaches, changes in eating habits or gastrointestinal issues, difficulties sleeping, racing thoughts and irritability, she noted.
Some red flag symptoms are feeling depressed and hopeless for more days than not; loss of interest in things you used to enjoy; constantly feeling anxious, and not having restful sleep.
“Oftentimes people, especially if we are feeling overwhelmed, tend to ignore (feelings and symptoms) and put it on the backburner because we have things to do. Our body tends to tell us – gives us indicators – that something is going on so we can pay attention and take action,” Clark said.
Here are some steps and strategies to try in the effort of preventing and managing holiday stress:
Plan ahead to find ways to reduce the stress;
Say no. It’s OK to say no to a few events or everything depending on your energy levels;
Plan spending;
Create relaxing surroundings;
Maintain healthy habits to fuel your body and spirit, including getting sunshine;
Share feelings;
Respect differences;
Be realistic; and
Take a break to reconnect, refocus and reset yourself and breathe.
“Hopefully using some of these tips can help ensure you can enjoy the holiday season,” said Clark.
How to reach the NJSBA’s Member Assistance Program
The Member Assistance Program connects our members — and anyone else in their household — to trained, experienced mental health professionals and resources. NJSBA Members and individuals in their household are eligible for three in-person counseling sessions, per issue, and unlimited text, phone and email support. All communications are confidential.
The program provides 24/7 access to a mental health professional with at least seven years of experience. The professional will counsel callers and help them find resources. If needed, they will help people find an accessible clinician who is accepting patients, and every effort will be made to make clinical referrals to counselors who are covered by your medical insurance plan. If that is not possible, efforts will be made to connect people with a practitioner who can provide services on a sliding scale.
Members also have access to an extensive Wellness Library with 25,000 interactive resources to help resolve personal problems or improve your personal and professional lives.
Contact MAP Counselors Anytime
- Phone counseling services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 1-800-531-0200. Callers will get immediate access to clinicians without using hold or transfer services. Access to English and Spanish speaking therapists, with other languages upon request, is available.
- Text via the CNA app: Available from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Via the website, charlesnechtem.com: Click “Member Login” and log in as a new user. The employer is NJSBA.
- Email: [email protected].