The holiday season is quickly approaching. For many, that means joy, cookies, peppermint, hot cocoa, and lights. But for others, it creates feelings of stress, loneliness, and anxiety. The anticipation and expectations become overwhelming.
Every year we read suggestions about how to handle the holidays. Here are some more!!
You can let me know if these suggestions help…
Disconnect: Turn off your phone! Take some quiet time for yourself where no one can reach you for a time. Talk out loud to yourself about how you really feel each day and what you need to see you through… each day!
Volunteer: The holidays can feel superficial with all the focus on shopping and buying gifts. Practice gratitude. Consider finding a place to volunteer or offer a meaningful donation. Have your kids volunteer with you, thereby teaching kindness and empathy.
Commit to family time: Cook up a big bowl of popcorn, choose a movie everyone would like, cuddle up on the couch together, and enjoy the evening. Let go of any “issues” that have been causing worry or disagreement.
Give yourself a Holiday present: Treat yourself to a special gift or experience that is just for you!
Keep Some Semblance of Your Routine: This one may be the most difficult for some. The kids are home from school, you may have visitors and holiday obligations. Try to stick to your healthy diet and get to bed early enough to not feel exhausted in the morning. Keep attending those exercise classes!
We want to make our family and the people we care about happy and comfortable during the weeks ahead. Don’t forget yourself! Think ahead and perhaps, map out a plan of how you can tackle all the shopping, cooking, sending cards, making holiday dates, with the idea of keeping ahead of it all.
Most of all, I wish you a season of health, peace, and joy.