It’s Christmas time! This time of the year is supposed to be happy and warm, but it can be stressful for some of us, as we can get a little emotional around the holidays. Feeling lonely, nostalgic and depressed is totally normal, and it happens to many of us. You are not alone! Here is some tips to help you enjoy the holiday time a little more.
Everything is energy. Your thought begins it, your emotion amplifies it and your action increases the momentum -Avinash Wandre
Unrealistic Expectations
One of the most common reason for the holiday blues is unrealistic expectations. The assumption that the holidays will always be a happy and perfect time can lead to anxiety and depression when problems arise or we don’t have the perfect plan or perfect group of people around us. Please remember that many people in this world do not celebrate Christmas or Newyears Eve with their families and are surviving on a tight budget. It is recommended to not expect anything from these days, and just go with the flow and see what comes up. I have celebrated Newyears Eve on my own before while traveling or when I just arrived in a new country, and I have always used that to my advantage. There is nothing wrong with being alone. Learn to be your own best friend and feel fulfilled from inside.
Paradigm Shift
This year, create your own perception about the holidays. Forget everything the media tells you about the perfect Christmas celebrations or Newyears Eve. Make the best out of what you have. For instance, if you are alone, then its your time off to take care of yourself and love yourself. Plan activities that make you happy, and truly enjoy your time. Go for a massage, take yourself out for lunch, eat something you love or spend your time doing research on things you’d like to do and accomplish in the new year.
Start a new tradition
We all have sad memories from past holidays, leaving our family, maybe a person who is no longer in our lives, and this time of the year can be a trigger to feel nostalgic and sad. So this year it’s time to start a new tradition with your friends, family or it could be something on your own. This will break the routine and shift you out of longing for times that have already gone.
Stick to your budget
Set a budget for your spending and stick to it. Nothing is more depressing than getting your self into debt by spending on stuff you don’t really need. If you don’t have much money to spend this year, stay at home and cook some yummy food, watch a movie and go for a beach walk. There’s no need to go fancy if you don’t have the budget. Learn to live with what you have in these festive times.
Learn to grieve
Some of us have lost loved ones, gone through breakups, or got divorced. The holidays can trigger our grief and it’s easy to run away from these feelings by indulging in unhealthy habits like smoking, over-eating and drinking. Reach out, talk to someone that you feel comfortable with. Allow yourself to feel sad and be OK with it. Letting it out and allowing yourself to feel it will help you to get over this sadness in the long run.
Less commitments
Don’t get into so many commitment during the holidays. This will only stress you more. Remember it’s your “me time” of the year. So, allocate some time for family and friends, and make sure to have time for yourself.
Work Out!
I know it’s the holidays and you want time off from everything, but its a well documented fact that working out releases endorphins and will boost your mood. Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean you have to overeat and skip the gym! Go to a class, crossfit session, or just work out at home with an online video.
Don’t binge on food or alcohol
Food and drinks can be comforting when you are feeling low. Sure, indulge yourself with you favorite comfort food and enjoy your time. But don’t overdo it as this will just drag you down into a negative spiral of feeling bad about yourself. For instance, have one piece of desert instead of two, or start you meal with a salad and eat lot’s of vegetables.
Giving back
Help others and be kind. This time of the year is perfect for volunteer work or donations. It feels great to be able to make someone else happy and it will reflect back on you. Giving to others is the number one way to feel better.
Gratitude
Please remember that there are people in this world who live on less than a dollar a day, and there are people who live in war, who lost everything they had, who are orphaned or who suffer from serious illnesses. Count your blessings every day because health and living in a first world country are not a given for everyone. This is the time to be grateful.
Meditation
I highly recommend reflecting on gratitude and abundance during a short meditation practice each day. I have recorded a video while I was in Thailand on how to start your own meditation practice.
Happy holidays everyone! Alone, with family or friends, I hope you are having a great times and enjoying this time of year. And let me know how you feel during this time by commenting below!
7 comments
Such a nice blog!
Thank You Isabel <3 Happy New Year!
♥
Thanks babe <3
This is a wonderful post! Thank you for helping the many of us who need this advice!
These are such good reminders. Thank you for sharing
Thanks Jacqui, much love <3