The holiday season can be filled with excitement. For many of us we look forward to spending time with family and friends, traveling or putting together wonderful holiday gatherings and parties. One of my favorite and fondest memories around this time of year is gathering with my family at my Aunt’s home where I see all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. Everyone brings a homemade dish or two, we open with prayer and thanks for blessings, break bread together, play games and talk into the wee hours of the night. However, with all of the hustle and bustle, the most wonderful time of the year can also be the most chaotic time leading to stress, anxiety and feelings of depression. With a little mindfulness everyone can fully enjoy the holiday season’s fun times and traditions, new and old. These 10 wellness tips are beneficial in developing the balance needed to get through the holidays:
- SET AND STICK TO BOUNDARIES. Boundaries are so important this time of year and always. Setting and most importantly keeping boundaries is key having balance. Know your limits, dos and don’ts for areas of your life and in various situations. For example if attending certain events makes you feel less than your best, skip them by politely turning down the invitations and avoiding pressure from others to attend for their sake, wants, and needs. You do not have to put others before your own needs and comfort and can do so without feeling guilty.
- PRIORITIZE YOUR TO-DO LIST. If you’re anything like me you have and keep a running to-do list. This list can get longer and more specific during the holidays. Check your list and check it twice. Go through your to-do list and prioritize it, listing things from beginning to end in order of importance. Do you really need to do all the things on it? Can some things on the list be optional, if time permits? Are there things that can be removed or eliminated altogether? Really streamline and simplify your to-do list to help reduce pressures and stress.
- PLAN AHEAD. Reduce the urge to save things you can do and finish now for later. Plan and do as much as possible ahead of time. It will reduce anxiety and allow you to better enjoy festivities.
- DITCH PERFECTION. So many of us seek to find the perfect gift or plan the perfect party. However, nothing is perfect. Allow yourself to focus on the thought behind the gift and the people you will host for parties and gathers rather than working to make sure everything looks, taste or seems perfect. Focusing on the emotion you evoke and how you make others feel will leave them cared for and loved, which is much more memorable and will stand out more than “perfection.”
- SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Some of the stress and anxiety that comes with this time of year is direct result of setting unrealistic expectations. If you want to have a holiday gathering, decide to do so and plan ahead of time rather than doing so at the last minute. This will leave you running around with little time to pull off a great event. The same is true of gift giving and other holiday expectations. If you know a gift or desired holiday item will take a while to arrive, aim to receive it with enough time for possible holiday mail service carrier delays, etc. Setting realistic expectations allows you to plan ahead and prioritize things that may take longer or require more time to plan. It may also help you eliminate things that may not be as important or can’t be done this year. No worries, you can always save the idea for another year.
- PRACTICE GRACE TOWARD YOURSELF AND OTHERS. It easy to be hard on and unkind to ourselves and others. Rather than responding with frustration, anger, negativity or unkindness, give grace and pour it on liberally.
- AMPLIFY YOUR GRATITUDE. There’s always something to be grateful for. When times get thought, hectic and chaotic, acknowledge how you feel but don’t dwell on it. Start and end the day with things you are grateful for despite what’s going on around you. This will increase feel good neurochecmicals in the brain that will help to stabilize your mood no matter what life throws at you. Write in a gratitude journal or keep a gratitude jar to take your daily expression of gratitude going.
- PRACTICE SELF-CARE. Be sure to also pencil yourself in on your schedule. We’ve all likely heard the saying self care is not self and it’s true. In order to do all the things you want to do and to show how much you care about your loved ones, you must first take care of yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup. So be sure to take care of yourself so you can more effectively care for others in your life. Eat healthy, get enough rest, exercise or get regular and consist movement, engage in activities that bring you joy, etc.
- SEEK SUPPORT AND/OR THERAPY. When other things you put in place aren’t as effective at creating balance as you hoped, seek support from trust people in your circle or of professionals. Therapy may be just what you need to help you create more balance in your life.
What other ways do you practice wellness during the holidays?
Happy healthy holidays everyone!
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Dr. Catherine Jackson (Dr. J) is a licensed clinical psychologist and a board certified neurotherapist. A sought after international speaker and media expert who’s been featured in Forbes, Oprah Magazine, The Huffington Post, CNN and many other media outlets, Dr. J shares a wealth of information with others on topics related to mental wellness, the brain and holistic health. She is the owner of Optimal Neuroholistic Services (ONS), author of The Couch Experience: A Guide to Good Therapy and creator of The Couch Experience Wellness Card Decks. Dr. J is a DEIJ expert and clinical supervisor who is passionate about mental health. She helps people rewire their brains, mindset and habits so they think, feel and communicate at their best.