WellnessWednesday: Any tips on how to deal with OCD during the holidays?

[BethIOCDF]

Please share your tips and resources below.

[Natureloverpeace]

Self-care and living according to our values comes to mind. The Holidays can get pretty busy so we need to do self-care so we don’t burn out. We may feel more stressed and vulnerable so that self-care is vital. If we’re run down, we may be more open to OCD’s cons and demands. Give ourselves the gift of self-compassion even if OCD tries to convince us we don’t deserve it. OCD is an unhelpful grinch anyway.

[Coffeelove4444 in reply to Natureloverpeace]

Excellent advice 👍👍

[3BirdLover]

I believe in boundaries. We have to give ourselves permission to not be perfect. I get very anxious having people over and OCD will kick in such that I have to have everything clean, etc. I worry about food... if I'm contaminating something. As soon as this comes, I have to entirely kick it out of my mind. If I don't, it takes over and becomes a BULLY.

Don't know if this helps, but just sharing....

[Sallyskins]

I don't do the festive season well - but remember that you don't have to throw yourself into the celebrations more than you feel you can manage.

For me, I have some bad memories of Christmas when I was growing up - the adults all getting drunk and fighting! But it doesn't have to be like that.

Try to pace yourself - don't do more than you can manage. Join in the parties or concerts only as much as you can. It does help to go out a little - better than moping inside - but it isn't compulsory to be a party animal.

And don't insist on things being perfect. If people are coming over, remember that they are there to be with you, not to nit-pick about how clean your house is or whether your decorations are up to scratch or if the festive dinner is as good as something a Cordon Bleu chef would do.

I've also found that it helps to buy presents early so you don't have a mad rush and you're not combing the shops or the internet for something suitable just when you feel least like it. Start in November - or October!

And the presents don't have to be wrapped perfectly, either. Nice as a nicely wrapped parcel is, the recipient is more interested about what's in it, and above all, touched by the thought. The thought really does count. My parcels are famously badly wrapped!