This is your annual reminder to, along with the joy, bring some calm to the winter holiday season.
Whether you celebrate or not, the holiday season can come with a lot of changes. The weather cools down, the days grow darker, we’re suddenly bombarded with (more) advertising, and feelings of anxiety can easily arise thinking about seeing or missing family, choosing and affording gifts and so on.
Between social engagements, family time, decorating, buying gifts, and the expectation to do it all with a smile on your face, it’s a lot. The thought of all this forced merrymaking can have some of us feeling like running for the hills. The winter holidays can be especially tough if you are feeling lonely, grieving, marking an anniversary of a sad event and / or having hopes and expectations that may go unmet.
Whatever tension we might have going into the holiday period may intensify and the wounds from the past may make the rounds again. These very valid feelings can make the holidays an isolating time. And if that sounds like you, I see you.
I encourage you to do at least a little intentional self care over the next few weeks. Some ideas are in the infographic and here are a few that take less than 5 minutes :
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Stretch
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List 5 things you're grateful for.
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Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
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Drink a glass of water.
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Stand up and walk around.
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Listen to a favorite song.
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Dance a little
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Speed clean a space around you.
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Play with your pet. They love you unconditionally.
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Turn off your phone.
DON’T DO ALL OF THESE AT ONCE.
Remember - These are small things that you may already be doing, and they are only suggestions. If you are doing them, or even some of them, then give yourself credit where credit is due and acknowledge your own self-care.
