Nurturing Mental Wellbeing During the Holidays
The holiday season, with its festive cheer and gatherings, can bring both joy and stress. In this day and age we understand the importance of prioritizing mental health during this time. In this blog we'll explore several self-care tips to help you navigate the holiday period with ease.
Whether you’re over committed, experiencing challenges or encounter difficult family dynamics this time of year we've got your covered.
If you are experiencing difficulty in relationships
Connect with friends or a support network. Talking to others about your feelings can provide emotional support and perspective.
Plan Ahead: Have a plan for how to handle difficult situations. Consider an exit strategy if things become overwhelming.
Don’t buy into comparison. Not everyone has the perfect Christmas, hallmark family and postcard holiday. Your situation is not necessarily an indictment of you and you're not the only one. If you desire for a better family dynamic, just see these feelings as an instruction to start work on building connection (doesn’t have to be blood.)
Practice Gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your life. Reflecting on gratitude can shift your mindset and improve your overall outlook. Simple hack is just ask yourself every day what are three things that are going well for me?
Consider Professional Help: If family issues persist, seeking the guidance of a therapist or counselor can provide valuable tools to navigate challenging relationships.
Remember, it's okay to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. If needed, professional help can offer additional support and strategies tailored to your specific situation.
Top Tips to Tame or Prevent Overwhealm:
Set Boundaries:
Being comfortable with declining invitations is crucial for maintaining your mental well-being. Bow out of obligation gifts, try secret santa or only gift for those under 18, Budget yourself well and save for what really matters. Shop for new as little as possible. Recycle, use what you have, borrow and stretch your resources (clutter, shopping and waste create excess work and stress.) Prioritize events that truly align with your values and bring you joy. Setting clear boundaries ensures that you have the time and energy to enjoy meaningful moments without feeling overwhelmed. Are you the type who loads too much onto their own plate and then can't enjoy anything? Yeah, you know who you are… stop it. Come present and enjoy yourself.
Accept Help and Delegate:
Don't hesitate to lean on your support network. Accepting help and delegating tasks can alleviate the pressure of trying to do everything yourself. Whether it's planning a gathering or handling responsibilities, sharing the load fosters a sense of community and lightens your mental load. Did you know that when somebody does you a favor they end up liking you more? There's no harm in making Christmas lunch everyone bring a plate or socializing in the kitchen as a team, for example.
Let Go of Perfection:
The pursuit of perfection can be a major source of stress during the holidays. Embrace imperfections and focus on the joy of the moment. Go with tried and true recipes. Understand that perfection is an unrealistic standard and allowing room for spontaneity and authenticity can contribute to a more relaxed and enjoyable season for everyone. When you allow yourself to be comfy and vulnerable, people feel permission to be themselves too, leading to more connection.
Laugh
So obvious. Oxytocin counters the effects of stress and deepens relationships. Games, activities, christmas crackers, playing around, even laughing when the pavlova doesn’t rise, lean into it. Everyone will remember the year you made a haphazard christmas desert of weet bix and rum icecream. It may even become a tradition. Consider giving gifts that you can play on the day too.
ConnectMental health essential #1 is connection. If you can't for any reason plan and foster opportunity to connect with friends, community or organisations when you have the opportunity. Practice Mindful Activities:
First and most important step is to set an intention.
Ask yourself:
What does this holiday time mean to you?
How do you intend to show up?
What do you want to create?
Is it memories for your kids, fostering closeness, decompressing from the year, getting through your first year without Dad or bringing a friend with no local family into the fold? Write it down! Come back to this often. This is also essential because finding meaning in life is a huge component of mental health. Engage in mindful exercises that promote relaxation and presence. Whether it's just focussing on your undertaking with your intention or practices like meditation, deep breathing, or gentle yoga, all of these practices can help ground you in the present moment and alleviate stress. Mindfulness fosters a positive mindset, enhancing your overall mental well-being.I put reminders in my phone and leave post-its around the house. Also keeping a running to do list in a book helps me to disconnect from overwhelm and enjoy my tasks with presence and intention.Give to others(Note, this is not saying you have to give in to obligation/appeasement in abusive or codependent relationships if that is your story.) Did you know that westerners tend to make themselves less happy when they actively chase happiness? Whereas Asian cultures for example tend to make themselves more happy because they believe that their happiness is predicated on the success and well-being of the community or team, and in their attempts to make self happier their branch out and support others. This actually works more effectively. We need to combat our own inherent social programming that we need to accomplish, be successful and acquire assets (or have the perfect Christmas tree) in order to be happy because we're simply not wired this way fundamentally.
Do one thing at a time and slow down.
When we are uncomfortable we tend to speed up. It’s counterintuitive but in slowing down you smooth the path, making it more pleasant plus if you are a woman slowing has the benefit of helping to put yourself back into your feminine and receptive energy.
Encourage Moderation
Observe how You Feel if You Overconsume. Practicing awareness can lead to reform. What were you feeling before you overdid it? Did consuming help in the long run? What were you really trying to address or fulfil? How else might you fulfil yourself more satisfactorily?
Connect with Nature:
Take advantage of the natural health benefits that the outdoors provides. Spend time in nature, whether it's a brisk walk in the park or a scenic hike. Nature has a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress and promoting a sense of peace. Make it a priority to connect with the healing power of the environment. If possible unplug from technology as well and earth yourself on the ground. Green spaces have a significant positive effect on mood and health.
Reflect and Set Intentions:
As the year comes to a close, take time to reflect on your achievements and growth. So read my new year's journaling process here. Set positive intentions for the upcoming year, focusing on what truly matters to you. This reflective practice can provide clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of motivation for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. (See my New Year prompts below, too)
Engage in self care that you love.
Its so important to show yourself care. Here are some suggestions. Journal out your own ideas too and plan to implement these tasks in your schedule.
Mindful Meditation
Journaling
Exercise: Engage in physical activities you enjoy.
Reading
Hot Bath or Shower
Icebath, Sauna, Massage or Spa day
Aromatherapy
Nature Walk
Healthy Nutrition/Cooking
Quality Sleep
Digital Detox: Take a break from screens for a while.
Yoga
Art or Craft
Socializing: Spend time with loved ones or friends.
Laughter: Watch a funny movie or attend a comedy show.
Mind-challenging Games: Stimulate your brain with puzzles.
Volunteering
Gratitude Practice
Music Therapy: Listen to healing or uplifting music.
Deep Breathing: Practice deep, intentional breaths.
Counseling or Therapy: Seek professional support.
Learning Something New: Stimulate your mind with new knowledge, like a podcast book or language study.
Decluttering: Organize your living or working space.
Visualization: Picture positive outcomes for relaxation.
Partner or Self-Massage
Romance: Even if you’re single, date yourself!!
Hobbies: Invest time in activities you're passionate about.
Quality Time Alone: Enjoy your own company.
Affirmations: Devise and repeat positive affirmations for motivation.
Goal Setting: Plan and work toward achievable goals.
Travel or Day Trip
Navigating the holiday season with a focus on mental well-being is essential for a fulfilling and joyous experience, and I hope that by prioritizing mental health care, you all create a holiday season that aligns with your values and contributes to a positive mindset for the new year ahead, and maybe help other's in the process.
All the best of health prosperity, wellness and happiness this holiday season!
E xx
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