While the festive season is often associated with joy, celebration, and togetherness, some people may dread or feel uneasy about this time of the year for various reasons like traveling, grief, darker days, and dealing with difficult family at holiday events.

You are not alone if you find yourself dreading the holiday season. 

Below are seven tactics to help navigate the holiday season smoothly:

Loneliness Hits hard: if you do not have, your friends or family around, the festive season can be a stark reminder of your solo status. Everyone's huddling up, and you are left feeling a bit like a lone wolf.  Plan ahead of time, schedule your holiday with activities  You can even consider volunteering at a charity of your choice or attend church gatherings.

Awkward Family Drama: Not all families are rocking around the Christmas tree together. If your relatives bring more tension than joy, the idea of festive family gatherings might make you break out in a cold sweat. Decide on healthy boundaries and if you find yourself struggling during a particularly tense moment, stay patient by focusing on your breathing. Remind yourself that this too shall pass, and that — eventually — you or your family will be headed back home.

Heartache Hangs Around: For those who have lost someone dear, the festive season can feel like a giant neon sign pointing out the empty space where they used to be. Celebrations can be a bittersweet dance with memories.
Try to be mindful that this is not the time to pursue good feelings. It’s the time to survive, so later on you can find yourself in one piece.” 

Workload Woes: While everyone is thinking about holiday getaways, some of us are juggling deadlines and dealing with a workload that is piling up faster than snow in a blizzard. It's not exactly a winter wonderland.
Explain to friends and family your situation and prepare them to have realistic expectations of what your capacity will look like.  This way nobody gets disappointed.

Social Anxiety Sneaks In: Parties and gatherings might be your personal nightmare if social anxiety is your sidekick. The pressure to be social and shine in a crowd can turn the festive season into one big anxiety ball.
It is wise to have an exit plan ready.  You can excuse yourself from difficult conversations and if you anticipate difficult family gatherings, contact a counsellor to help you get yourself in the right frame of mind before the big days arrive.

Perfectionist Pressure: Picture this: the perfect decorations, the Instagram-worthy meals, and the flawless festivities. Sounds stressful? For some, the expectation to create the perfect holiday experience can be overwhelming.  In addition, if you are struggling with addiction or in recovery, you might feel that you are falling short, or may feel overwhelmed, particularly when there are copious amounts of adult beverages involved.  Stick to your recovery principles and know season too shall pass.

Over commitment Overload: The FOMO is real during the festive season, and the fear of missing any event can lead to saying "yes" to everything. Soon, it is more of an "I need a break" than a "ho, ho, ho" situation.

You get to decide what works best in your life this holiday. Protect your peace. Don’t feel that you have to say yes to everyone.  You may have to realise that it is OK to say no and learn to set boundaries.

Remember, these vibes are not universal, and everyone's festive experience is unique. Therefore, if you see someone feeling a bit Grinchy, a sprinkle of understanding and a dash of empathy can go a long way in making the season brighter for him or her.