Holiday Survival Tips
The holidays are relaxing and fun for some but can be stressful and unpleasant for others. Here are a few tips to help you manage and hopefully avoid burning out before the new year!
Be kind. Whether we celebrate or how we celebrate holidays, milestones, and anniversaries differs depending on culture, religion, family traditions, an individual’s beliefs and values, and life experiences. Some love it, dislike it, or don’t care at all and this might conflict with our own feelings. Regardless of the season, we want everyone to feel cared for and respected.
To do: Approach others with openness to new information and non-judgement towards differences. If someone important to you is experiencing difficulties or seems more disconnected than usual, a gentle and non-intrusive check-in can be helpful to let them know that you’re thinking of them or available if needed.
Make it your own. We often make up rules for ourselves or follow rules already set for us. In reality, most of these rules don’t exist, can be rewritten, or are more flexible than we assume they are.
To do: Check in with yourself when you feel relaxed and centred in your body. Separate the needs and wants from the shoulds and musts, and challenge your learned rules. Do what’s best for you and what aligns with your values.
Set boundaries. The holidays can be stressful and chaotic but assertively setting boundaries can help to reduce that. Setting boundaries can seem impossible and giving in can be very enticing, but the more we disregard our boundaries the more likely we are to burn out, feel resentful of others, lose self-respect, and experience low moods. Setting boundaries help us have better relationships with ourselves and others in the long run.
To do: Remember that we all have needs and limitations. Appreciate the boundaries you or others set because they can only exist alongside trust, care, and open communication. Identify what your flexible and rigid boundaries are and the values they represent. Be assertive but kind, and hold the boundaries that you set.
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness can help us manage our thoughts and feelings; stay present and engaged. It can be practiced at any time and anywhere- whether you’re home alone or at a holiday party.
To do: Observe your thoughts and feelings without reacting right away -remember that they’re valid but not necessarily true or right. Use all your senses to direct your focus and keep guiding it back when it wanders. Throw yourself into the experience with curiosity and compassion; using mind, body, and soul.
Practice self-care. Self-care looks different to everyone and it’s not just a reactive way to manage stress- it’s also preventative. Seek out or intentionally create positive experiences whenever you can because this builds resiliency and healthy self-esteem.
To do: Try to do at least one enjoyable thing a day- it can be big or small. Prioritize your self-care as much as you prioritize other things. For every negative, actively try to find 3 positives- it’s easy for our brain to find negatives and ignore positives.
We hope that you find these tips helpful for the holidays and beyond. If you’d like to learn more about these techniques or need extra support, our therapists are available to help.
Wishing you wellness and warmth this holiday season!
