The holidays can be a particularly anxious time for many people. This is especially true for individuals who already have a diagnosis that includes anxiety such as depression or addiction. The good news is that navigating anxiety over the holidays is highly manageable with the right tips, tools, and techniques.
Better Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety affects millions of people daily. This ranges from minimal anxiety to more serious anxiety disorders. It also includes anxiety that is part of an individual’s alcohol use disorder (AUD) and/or substance use disorder (SUD).
For a better understanding of anxiety, it can be helpful to garner a more professional definition. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life… But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time.”
Anxiety is also highly prevalent in both the U.S. and abroad. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, “Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder, are the most prevalent mental disorders and are associated with immense health care costs and a high burden of disease. According to large population-based surveys, up to 33.7% of the population are affected by an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. Substantial underrecognition and undertreatment of these disorders have been demonstrated.”
The Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of anxiety are going to vary from person to person. However, there are some universal signs and symptoms that one can look out for. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including excessive sleep and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Feeling overly depressed and worried
- Using alcohol and substances as coping mechanisms
- Experiencing trouble at work and/or school
- Feeling overly “stressed out”
- Experiencing trouble with both short-term and long-term memory
- Having feelings like one wants to commit self-harm
- Experiencing suicidal ideations
As one can see, anxiety can cause some very serious symptoms. This is why if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is critical to seek professional help sooner than later. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term side effects.
Navigating Anxiety
The good news is that there are many modalities that can help one navigate their anxiety. This includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation, as well as experiential therapies like surf therapy (perfect in the low country of South Carolina) and art therapy.
Art therapy can be particularly helpful for anxiety and other types of mental illness. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviors, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life.” Also, “Art therapy can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.”
Navigating Anxiety Over the Holidays
The holidays can be stressful for anyone, especially those who have anxiety as part of their diagnosis. However, navigating anxiety over the holidays is possible as long as one sticks to their recovery plan and remembers to take their recovery “one day at a time.”
It can also be very helpful to stay connected to a treatment center over the holidays, many of which offer outreach and alumni services. This can help people struggling with anxiety stay connected to one another, and staying connected to people with shared experiences can be vital for long-term success.
Navigating Anxiety in the Long Term
Many people are under the misconception that recovery from addiction and mental illness like an anxiety disorder ends after one leaves treatment. This is simply untrue.
Recovery is a lifelong process. The key to enjoying the process is to stay positive and keep putting one foot in front of the other. When it comes to anxiety, it can also be very helpful to be part of recovery communities and engage with support groups.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why we offer individualized and comprehensive recovery plans with a focus on the future. This can also best ensure that navigating the holidays is both enjoyable and successful.
Anxiety can take everything away. The good news is that, with Lantana Recovery, everything can come back better than ever.
There is little doubt that the holidays can bring about excess anxiety. The good news is that there are many solutions to help alleviate some of that anxiety. It is also important to avoid anxiety to ultimately avoid a relapse. Connecting to the right recovery center can make the holidays anxiety-free. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about managing anxiety over the holidays, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
