Here are more tips on how to cope with the holidays.
Past Regrets
As the year closes, we may take stock of the past months and feel bad about unfulfilled goals. Perhaps you didn’t lose the weight or get the promotion you had wanted. While it’s great to have high expectations, understand that goals are not always met within your planned time frame. Rather than feeling down, take this time to re-evaluate. Why didn’t these things get done? Are these goals still important? If so, what could you do differently in the New Year to meet them? Regroup and re-energize by focusing on the future rather than lamenting the past!
Be good to yourself this holiday season and do all that you can to manage your stress and set a positive tone for the New Year. The holidays are a time of celebration, renewal, and joy, whatever your circumstances are. The choice of how you will experience the season is always yours to make.
Grieving During the Holidays
Grief at the loss of a loved one is an emotionally painful and debilitating condition at any time of year. There is no right or wrong way to handle the holidays in grief. You have to decide what is right for you and do it. Allow time for feelings to express themselves. Don’t keep feelings bottled up. If you feel like crying, by all means do so. You can cancel the holiday altogether. If you find yourself going through the motions and feeling nothing, cancel them. Take a year off. The same holidays will come around again and your family and friends will understand. Most of all, don’t feel guilty about “spoiling” anyone else’s merriment. You’re entitled to your feelings.
Too Much Food and Temptation
Over-indulgence in food or alcohol can leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and guilty. Make a pledge to have a fun but healthy holiday season. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a few treats here and there, but try to keep things in moderation. Also be sure to get plenty of rest during this stressful time. As best you can, try to maintain an exercise schedule. If you take care of yourself, you’ll have more energy to enjoy the best that the holidays have to offer.
These tips can be applied throughout the year. Can you think of any other tips to cope with the holidays? I’m interested in any thoughts or comments that you have.
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