As the year comes to an end, holiday events, gatherings, and obligations start to loom. For some of us, this is a time filled with excitement, anticipation, and good cheer, but for others, there is a build-up of anxiety. There are the complexities of family relationships to navigate, holiday shopping, gift giving, a packed social calendar, and end-of-year requirements. There is also the very real possibility that feelings of loneliness and grief can be heightened at this time of year.
Remembering that you are not alone and that there are people and resources to help is an important first step to navigating difficult emotions at such a busy time of the year. Developing a ‘self-help’ toolbox is important to care for yourself at times when you feel fragile and anxious.
Try some of these tips and explore more on the CredibleMind website:
- Be good to yourself – Doing something you enjoy will help take your focus off feeling alone and can also lift your spirits
- Know you are not alone and get connected – Talk to others about how you feel. So many people have the same experiences but are too frightened to tell others. Reaching out may seem difficult, but it will help
- Rethink your expectations – Sometimes the holidays feel particularly difficult because our expectations are too big. Take a moment to rethink your expectations and remember that our lives are not Hallmark movies. It’s OK to treat a holiday as just any other day.
- Cultivate gratitude – Think about what you are grateful for. If you focus on what is good in your life, it can reduce the feelings of loss and anxiety.
- Give to others – Donate your time by helping other people. Immersing yourself in giving to others is a great way to find connection and remind yourself how good it feels to help others who are less fortunate.
- Reach out for help – There is no shame in needing support. Remember many professionals can assist you to sort through your feelings and help you to develop coping strategies. Never be ashamed to ask for help!
Credible Mind links:
https://fvhd.crediblemind.com/insights/four-ways-to-overcome-loneliness-during-the-holidays
https://fvhd.crediblemind.com/lists/coping-with-loneliness-during-the-holidays