4 Ways to Manage Anxiety During the Holidays

In a normal year, anxiety disorders affect more than 18% of adults, making them the most common mental illness in the U.S. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of adults reporting negative impacts on mental health including anxiety has increased substantially.

Since the holidays are known to cause stress and anxiety, the coming weeks are likely to result in even more individuals experiencing anxiety this year. Fortunately, there are several simple, but effective things you can do to help mitigate anxiety.

Here are 4 ways to manage your anxiety during the holidays.

Simplify Your Holiday Plans

To minimize anxiety, consider simplifying your holiday plans this year. Don’t overbook yourself with holiday parties, plan simple holiday meals, consider shopping online instead of at shopping centers, and keep travel to a minimum. By simplifying your plans, you can reduce pressure on yourself, which should help you to manage your anxiety during the holidays.

Practice Stress-Reducing Self Care

Though it may feel like you don’t have any time for yourself, it is essential that you take care of yourself during the holidays if you suffer from anxiety. Schedule time for relaxation, exercise, and activities, hobbies, or passions which make you feel good. This has been a very challenging year and your physical and mental health needs to remain a priority.

Limit Alcohol, Sweets, Caffeine

Alcohol, sweets, and caffeine may feel like a brief escape if you’re dealing with anxiety, but in the long run, they will make your anxiety worse. Stick with non-alcoholic beverages, and limit your caffeine and sugar intake, in order to best manage your anxiety during the holidays.

Avoid Anxiety Triggers

If certain people, events, or even locations tend to trigger your anxiety, avoid them this year. For example, if the thought of visiting a certain family member is keeping you up at night with worry, skip the in-person visit this year. Likewise, if you get anxious thinking about traveling, don’t force it this year. There are plenty of reasons to stay home this year, which can help reduce your anxiety and mitigate your risk of illness.

Medications to Treat Anxiety

If you are prescribed medication to treat anxiety, it is important to take it exactly as prescribed and to let your health care provider know if you’re experiencing side effects. Common medications for anxiety include benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) You should never abruptly stop any anxiety medication without speaking with your physician.

Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is the generic for Prozac. It is an SSRI that is used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It works by helping to restore levels of serotonin in the brain.

The RxSaver price for fluoxetine at major retail pharmacies starts at $4.00

Sertraline

Sertraline is a generic form of Zoloft. It is an SSRI prescribed to treat depression, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder. Sertraline helps to restore the balance of a natural chemical, serotonin, in your brain.

The RxSaver price for sertraline at major retail pharmacies starts at $7.61

Alprazolam

Alprazolam is the generic form of Xanax. It is a benzodiazepine that works by producing a calming effect in the brain. Alprazolam is generally prescribed for a short period of time to treat anxiety.

The RxSaver price for alprazolam at major retail pharmacies starts at $4.98

Diazepam

Diazepam is a generic Valium. It is used to treat anxiety and panic disorder and belongs to the class of drugs known as diazepines. Diazepam is known to be habit-forming, so it is frequently prescribed for short term use only.

The RxSaver price for diazepam at major retail pharmacies starts at $4.69

Lorazepam

Lorazepam is the generic for Ativan. It acts on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. It belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

The RxSaver price for lorazepam at major retail pharmacies starts at $3.66

Alprazolam, Diazepam, and Lorazepam are labeled as Schedule IV controlled substances under federal regulations. Visit here for more information on controlled substances and scheduling. It's important to consult with your health care provider when starting or changing your prescription medication, and discussing your health history with prescriptions.

The Holidays and COVID-19

COVID-19, the holidays, and anxiety are making this traditionally joyful time of year, very challenging for countless Americans and their families. If you or a loved one could use a little help coping, there are many free mental health resources available during COVID-19 and the holidays to help you through this difficult time.

Always Seek Professional Help

If you are struggling to control your anxiety during the holidays, reach out for help. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated depression, anxiety, and stress for millions of Americans, and mental health care providers are available to help. With telehealth appointments available, you likely won’t even have to venture out, to get professional help with managing your anxiety during the holidays.