The holiday season is always full of hustle and bustle—two things that can make introverts feel overwhelmed and anxious. Luckily, there are some ways to cope. We’ve rounded up 20 tips to help you survive and thrive during this festive time.

Scale back

If you are more inclined to sit on your couch than converse with friends or family, pare down the number of events you plan to attend. Maintaining a jam-packed calendar when you’re just not feeling it will only contribute to negative emotions throughout the holiday season.

Arrive at parties early

You know the best time to arrive at a party? Right on time. This will give you the opportunity to chat with your hosts one on one and pass a gift along to them. It also guarantees you’ll avoid large crowds.

Give gifts as an exchange

There’s always a lot of pressure to buy perfect presents, but gift giving can be overwhelming for those who would rather avoid malls or large present opening sessions. So instead of buying something for everyone, arrange to do a “Secret Santa” gift exchange. The game will make gift giving simpler, less stressful, and more fun.

Suggest an activity

A surefire way to stave off anxiety and the “I don’t want to deal with people” willies is to throw a holiday party that involves some sort of activity. This will decrease the amount of time you have to spend chatting with people, while also giving everyone something to discuss once the task wraps up.

Keep track of time

Some introverts believe the ideal amount of time for like-minded individuals to spend with friends is about one or two hours, and for each hour spent socializing, two hours alone are needed to rest. Test the theory out for yourself.

Lend a hand

Offering to help your host wash the dishes, set a table, or take out the garbage may not be a glamorous way to spend a festive evening with friends, but it will keep you busy during stressful social situations.

Prepare for parties

Before the holiday party season hits, recharge your social batteries by limiting how much you socialize. This will help you build some momentum to tackle get-togethers.

Say no to houseguests

If you know you have a number of parties to attend and will need to rest and recharge afterwards, decline any and all requests from loved ones to stay at your home. Give an honest reason for why your spare room is unavailable and send them some luxe hotel recommendations instead.

Stop comparing

One of the many reasons social anxiety for introverts can peak over the holidays is that they’re more apt to compare themselves to others, especially extroverts who seem to love the attention of party hopping. Remember it’s OK to be you and to find the endless holiday chatter draining. You do you and let others be themselves.

Focus on simplicity

The next time you’re at a party and feel your cortisol levels spiking, focus on anything that’s not your anxiety. One example would be to use all of your senses to sip a glass of champagne (what does it taste/sound/smell like?). Research shows focusing helps decrease stress.

Eat at home

While eating at restaurants is fun for some, it can be overwhelming for those who find sitting in a room with strangers stressful. If you’re the latter, skip out on lavish holiday parties that take place at loud and noisy restaurants and opt to take part in the ones that are held in homes.

Take short breaks

Even the most extroverted person will need to take a break from chatting and socializing at some point, so never feel guilty about exiting a conversation or enjoying an extended bathroom break.

Connect with at least one person

Chatting with extroverts can be fun (research proves it!), so take some time to connect with at least one overly chatty individual at every party you attend. Once you know the person, you’ll be able to tap them for conversations at future gatherings.

Avoid certain subjects

To help you feel in control of conversations with strangers, prepare for them ahead of time. Create a list of topics you don’t feel comfortable discussing (politics, vaccines, etc.) then avoid bringing them up with others.

Plan the night

Ahead of any holiday affair, ask your host for an itinerary of the evening. What time will guests arrive? Is there a dinner and, if so, what will be eaten? Knowing all the details about the event will help you visualize its flow. Research shows visualization can reduce anxiety and increase a person’s sense of control over a situation.

Don’t do it all

Present shopping! Party hopping! Meal planning! There is a lot to do during the holiday season, and no one says you have to do it all—so don’t! Pick and choose the things you want to tackle and ditch the rest. By paring down the tasks you take on, you’ll enjoy the time you spend with others that much more.

Sit back and listen

Attending an event does not come with the expectation of you being the most exuberant guest. Take some time at every party to sit back and take in the sights and sounds around you. Science shows that observing enhances learning and empathy.

Practise self-care

When you start to find the expectations of the holiday season overwhelming, stop what you’re doing and invest in some self-care. Whether that’s reading a book or going to get your nails done, the act will help you replenish some of the social energy stores you need to hop from event to event.

Know when to leave

Why overstay your welcome? If you notice your host looking at his or her watch or that the music has stopped playing, it’s your cue to exit stage left.

Blame COVID

With COVID still rampant in many cities and countries around the world, it’s a justifiable reason for declining invitations from family, friends, and colleagues. Who can argue with “I’m just not comfortable being in big crowds” right now?

The post Introverts and the holidays: a survival guide appeared first on Espresso Communication