• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She's Your Friend logo
  • Gift Guides
  • Mom Lifestyle
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Gift Guides
  • Mom Lifestyle
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    She's Your Friend » Life Advice » Anxiety

    7 ways to manage Social Anxiety during Holidays

    by Joanna Stephens Published: Dec 5, 2019 · Updated: Nov 14, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

    • Share
    • Tweet
    anxious woman wearing a holiday hat
    a nervous woman wearing a santa hat and text overlay that reads tips to overcome social anxiety during the holidays
    anxious woman wearing a holiday hat

    With the holidays upon us, it means our schedules are busier, and our free time becomes more limited.

    a woman wearing a santa hat who looks nervous

    Many of us enjoy the holidays, but it does become a time when social anxiety can become ruthless.

    Jump to:
    • How to manage anxiety
    • Holiday Social Anxiety FAQ
    • More anxiety tips and articles

    How to manage anxiety

    1. Say no, and stick to it.
    2. Avoid talking about religion or politics.
    3. Pick a few people to talk to.
    4. Find time to de-stress.
    5. Don't try to impress everyone.
    6. Go outside when things are getting too much.
    7. Make sure you park where you aren't going to be blocked in.

    1.Saying no, and stick to it.

    If you don't want to go to a park, say no. Especially if you already have a jam-packed week of parties and social gatherings.

    2.Avoid talking about religion or politics.

    These kinds of topics can get out of hand quickly, especially when you have two completely different opinions.

    Unless you are 100% comfortable with everyone around you, just avoid discussing this type of stuff.

    3.Pick a few people to talk to.

    You don't have to be a social butterfly. Find a few people to talk to that you know you share similar interests with.

    Mingling with everyone at a party just isn't my cup of tea.

    4. Find time to de-stress.

    If you are going to your parents' house for the holidays and your boyfriend/spouse/friend parents' house, make sure you give yourself enough of a break before each party.

    This might mean showing up late, but better late than about to go into a full-blown panic attack.

    5. Don't try to impress everyone.

    Realistically, this will never happen. It's also a lot of work just trying to, and leaves you feeling drained and unhappy.

    6. Go outside when things are getting too much.

    If your anxiety is really getting the best of you, excuse yourself and go outside. A nice little walk or just some fresh air can do wonders!

    7. Make sure you park where you aren't going to be blocked in.

    One last tip involves parking during holiday get-togethers. Find a parking spot that you won't get blocked in.

    This helps in case you need to make a quick getaway.

    The last thing yo want to do is have to ask someone to move their care while you are on the verge of a meltdown.

    Holiday Social Anxiety FAQ

    What is social anxiety?

    Speaking from a personal perspective, social anxiety is a fear of talking to others, disappointing people, or just overwhelmed by all the social gatherings.

    *Hint: if you are introverted, like me, then you probably also have social anxiety or have had it int the past.a woman who looks frustrated who is also wearing a santa hat

    What's it like to have social anxiety at Christmas?

    During the holidays, our commitments are a lot bigger, so social anxiety can rear its ugly head a lot more frequently.

    It might show up as higher reactivity to situations that normally wouldn't phase you, or just not having enough energy for everything.

    Should I go to a Christmas party if I have social anxiety?

    This will really depend on you. If its a party with a lot of close friends of yours, definitely go!

    If it's a work party and you don't have many work friends, opt out.

    You know yourself best, and putting yourself into a position that is going to be uncomfortable is always a gamble.

    What do the experts say about social anxiety and the holidays?

    The Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers a few great tips to de-stress during the holidays by not setting your expectations too high. With that, not biting off more than you can chew (metaphorically, of course). 

    Also, avoid alcohol during these stressful times as it can actually make your anxiety worse.a woman wearing a santa hat who looks angry and overwhelmed

    Wishing all my introverted friends out there a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays for those of you who are celebrating a different holiday.

    We will get through this, remember to take deep breaths and know you are not alone!

    More anxiety tips and articles

    • 15 things people with anxiety do
    • 5 Helpful books to read if you have Social Anxiety
    • 14 Social Anxiety Quotes (to help you feel braver)
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    about me picture of the founder Joanna Stephens

    Hi, I'm Joanna! Wife, and mother of 2. Here you will find a mom friend to talk all things motherhood, beauty, home decor, and other helpful advice for life.

    More about me →

    Follow us

    • go to our pinterest account
    • go to our facebook page
    • go to our instagram account

    Valentines Day

    • 14 Valentines Day Classroom school decor
    • 12 Galentines Gift for your friends
    • 21 Gifts for Her this Valentines Day
    • 18 Best Gifts for a new Dad
    • 7 Best Gardening Gifts
    • 12 Valentines Day Gifts for Book Lovers

    What's Popular

    • Gassy newborn: a parents guide to help
    • Complete guide to Cradle Cap and Baby
    • Transitioning from Formula to Milk
    • Awesome Baby and Pregnancy Freebies
    • An Honest Review of Zarbee's Baby Cough Syrup
    • 31 baby names from The Witcher

    Features

    collage showing HuffPost Today parenting team Newsweek Lifewire and Workest by Zenefits.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Connect

    • Contact
    • Sponsor

    About

    • About Us
    • Accessibility

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures

    She's Your Friend provides information for educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice. See our privacy policy for more details. Posts within this website may or may not contain affiliate links. She's Your Friend is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

    Copyright © 2018-2022 She's Your Friend

    She's Your Friend
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.