Yasmeen Ismail M.A., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
The holidays are often associated with a sense of cheer, joy, and festivity. For many, it is a time to gather with loved ones and spend quality time with one another. However, for others, the holidays can feel overwhelming, stressful, or even isolating. The pressure to meet expectations can lead to feelings of anxiety, sadness, or exhaustion. If you find yourself drained by the holidays, you are not alone. Here are 5 ways to help you approach the holiday season with peace and self-compassion.
1. Reach Out for Support
Reaching out for support during the holiday season can improve those feelings of overwhelmingness, stress, anxiety, or sadness. If the holiday season feels challenging for you, do not hesitate to reach out for support. Talking with a counselor or a loved one can provide a safe space to explore your emotions and develop strategies to cope with the challenges of the season.
2. Grief and Loss
For some, the holiday season can stir up feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or grief. This can be contributed to you, experiencing the first or many holiday season without a loved one. Acknowledging and validating those feelings of sadness, loneliness, or anxiety – as well as honoring and celebrating the holidays with other family members can help promote shedding light on the season.
3. Setting Boundaries
A way to protect your mental health during the season is by setting boundaries. Boundaries allow you to express your needs in a respectful manner without sacrificing your well-being. Some ways to set those boundaries includes saying no when you need to, limit social media exposure, and asking for what you need.
4. Practice Mindfulness
If you are feeling overwhelmed, pausing and breathing can help regulate your body and shift your feeling of anxiety to a state of peace. Take a few moments throughout the day to pause and breathe. For others, staying active and consistent with their fitness routine can help promote mindfulness and the feeling of being grounded.
5. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a tool used to help us remember the things we have versus the things we do not. Ways to practice gratitude during the holiday season is remembrance of the time we had and will have with our loved ones, writing a gratitude list in a journal, and expressing your feelings of gratitude with loved ones.