Considerations to Make the Most of Your Holiday Season

December 5, 2024

The holiday season is a beautiful time of the year for quality time with loved ones, taking a break, and enjoying a cozy beverage. However, not everyone’s holidays look the same- whether it be due to different holiday traditions, political differences, family structure, health conditions, financial strain, experiencing loss, or going through a big transition. Just because your holiday may not look like a Hallmark movie doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t be enjoyable and meaningful.

Here are some ways to consider making the most of your holiday season:

Letting Go of the ‘Perfect Holiday’ 

There are a lot of expectations during this time to feel joyful and relaxed. It is ok and valid to feel more than just positive emotions during the holidays! The pressure to play the comparison game (especially via social media) is understandable but also interferes with the ability to engage with yourself and others meaningfully. Consider what matters most to you during the holidays by focusing on traditions that feel personally valuable.

 

Recognizing Holiday Stress Triggers

Everyone has things that may rub them the wrong way or bring up difficult thoughts/memories throughout the holiday season. Taking inventory of some of the topics or situations that have a tendency to cause a strong reaction can help you identify when and where difficult feelings might arise. This insight can help you come up with a game plan for dealing with these feelings in the moment.

 

Identifying and Applying Coping Skills 

Having practical skills to apply in the moment to manage stress can help ease your mind going into situations that you’ve recognized may bring up difficult feelings. Some coping skills to consider trying out include:

• Breathing techniques (diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, finger breathing)

• Taking a moment for yourself (stepping outside, going for a walk, listening to a comfort song, watching a funny video, calling a friend etc)

• Grounding (using an object to sink into your senses, naming 5 things you can see, hear, feel, and smell)

*Note: coping skills look different for every individual – try out some techniques to find what’s most helpful for you!

 

Family Expectations and Boundaries

There’s a lot of discussion regarding boundaries during the holiday season- knowing your boundaries and advocating for yourself is an important skill to build! It’s also important to remember that culturally and dynamically, boundaries mean different things to different people. Asserting or accepting boundaries may be more difficult for some. If this is something you experience, know you are not alone and it’s ok to do your best to strike a balance that feels right for you and your relationships.

 

Self Care and Self Compassion 

The way we take care of ourselves may change with the demands of the time of year- finding ways to hold space for yourself may look a little different right now. Acknowledge your feelings, be gentle with yourself, and recognize that you are doing your best.