How to Thrive During the Holidays

It’s the second year of the pandemic and we are all tired!

You might be feeling even more stress and exhaustion now that the holiday season is here. 

Some people have been planning for weeks, already in full preparation mode. Others are looking at an ever-increasing To Do list and not feeling very motivated. Some might be quietly dreading all the things that come up during this season. What if you’re not feeling jolly and bright this year?

It’s common for feelings of loneliness to arise, even if you are surrounded by family and friends. 

Existing psychological challenges may worsen as family gatherings can bring up old stuff. You might rely on outdated ways of managing these feelings, like overeating or drinking too much, then feeling worse. Maybe this is the year you take care of yourself and focus on what you are grateful for.  

Here are some helpful tips that might bring some relief to the stress and overwhelm you might be experiencing. 

Pay attention to self-care

This is a good time to check in on your expectations. 

• What is realistic to expect from your family?

• What is realistic to expect from yourself?

• Are you striving for perfect?

• Might you be trying to make up for last year, make this one extra great for everyone at the expense of rising anxiety and overspending?

Social media is rife with comparisons. Remember picture perfect is rarely that. Consider doing something other than scrolling during your downtime. Get lost in a book. Create something beautiful. Play music. Go outside. Take a hike. Hang out with your pet. 

Consider spending just a few minutes each day in quiet contemplation to relax and gather your thoughts.  Apps we love are Insight Timer, Headspace and Calm for guided meditations. YouTube is a good source for free meditations. 

Adjust your expectations

Take a moment to think about how you want to feel after the holidays are over and work backwards. Be mindful about what you’re wanting to do vs. what you think you should be doing.

Is it time to re-imagine the holidays, or edit out a few things that are no longer fulfilling or satisfying? If you are the host, remember everyone looks to you, so set the tone like you set the table. 

Build your holiday coping skills

Delegate! Involve your family and friends in lightening your load. 

If everyone is involved, perhaps their new sense of ownership will bring about collective joy. Give children important tasks to boost their self esteem. Ditch the table cloth and opt for placemats made out of inside out grocery bags with personalized drawings done by the kids. 

Or have your guests gather items from nature to create a gorgeous centerpiece. 

Practice gratitude: Imagine getting an empty box as a gift. What would you place in it to put a smile on your face? Explore how it feels to open a box filled with what you are grateful for.

Get sweaty! It really does improve your mood. 

Start out small if you don’t have a dedicated exercise program. The idea is to build exercise into your life so that it is just a part of what you do for self care. The trick is to inspire yourself to want to exercise. 

Tip: set your workout gear out the night before and visualize the exercise you’re going to do the next day. If you already have a solid routine, carve out time in your day to honor yourself and prioritize your dedication to your health.

Pay attention to what you eat. 

Consider how to create balance between what is good for you and what feels good for you in the moment. If you are sober or managing your relationship with food, recognize cravings and get the help you need. 

Can you double up on meetings? If you don’t have a solid support system, what steps can you take to get one in place? 

Nap. Allow yourself a full reset. Even if napping isn’t your thing, allow your body and mind time to rest. Use an eye pillow filled with lavender as an extra treat. Just 20 minutes a day is all you need to create calm in your body and mind. 

Don’t forget to support others

Consider what you can do to be in service to others.

This might mean practicing compassion for those around you in a way that you haven’t done before. Listen and refrain from offering advice as that can unintentionally come across as judgement. 

Investigate how being kind to others affects how you feel about yourself. Notice if compassion is contagious. 

Considering others can also mean checking and honoring people’s Covid comfort level. With the Omicron variant spreading, plans might need to be altered. Allow for others’ needs to be as important as your own. 

Find support. Recognize that this can be a difficult time of year. 

Reach out to us using the button below if you or your loved ones want to talk with a qualified mental health therapist.