Hi all,
First of, let me introduce myself. My name is Lauren Rosen, I'm a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT) and one of your AthletaWell guides. I specialize in the treatment of OCD and Anxiety Disorders. As it so happens, the holiday season is often ripe with opportunities for anxiety to get kicked up a notch.
- Perfectionism and her friend comparison can really rear their ugly heads as we decorate, wrap, and try to find the "perfect" trinkets and gifts for everyone on our lists. We may find ourselves worrying that we're not "good enough."
- All of the busyness can leave us depleted. A lack of sleep and missing meals can leave us vulnerable so that when anxiety pops up we get lost in a spiral of overthinking.
- Sometimes we're worried about navigating tricky family dynamics and might find ourselves ruminating about how that party or dinner or celebration will go.
- Even if we're excited to spend time with our families, it can also bring up old patterns that we've worked hard to shift. For instance, if you're a people pleaser who's working on boundaries, being around your family might lead you to fall into the well worn path of self-sacrifice and your own expense.
- We might get anxious that we're not happy enough and that we're ruining what are supposed to be joyful occasions because we can't make ourselves feel "in the spirit."
There's much to be done to navigate this anxiety more effectively. If you're worried you're not "good enough," you might check out my video There is No “Right” Way to Live or do this meditation Live Life on Your Terms: 5-min Mindful Meditation. If you're struggling to prioritize basic self-care, check out my video How to Find a Wellness Routine That Fits Your Unique Needs.
Anyone experiencing holiday driven anxiety? You're not alone! I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below. ❤️
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