Feeling Stressed This Holiday? This Is For You!
While the holidays can be a time of festive cheer, they can also feel stressful and bring to the surface all kinds of emotional challenges that make you want to eat or drink your feelingsβ¦
If you find yourself nodding along, here are some science-backed strategies that have helped me enjoy a smoother holiday season in the past and hopefully, they can do the same for you!
1. Change Your Thoughts
If you feel like you're just (sigh) struggling right now, consider this shift in perspective, what if it's okay to struggle? What if going through a rough patch doesn't define you, but simply reflects your humanity? What if this experience is meant to teach you something? Or steer your life in a different direction? What if this struggle was part of the plan all along? This change in mindset can offer a small sense of relief and take the pressure off of your lofty expectations, which in turn will allow you to get unstuck! It's like getting out of the death grip of a strong rip current - the fastest way out is to stop fighting against it and swim parallel until you're free.
2. Change Your Actions
By Changing Your Environment:
Sometimes, all it takes to change your mood is to change your scenery. Go for a walk or a bike ride, or even just move to a different room. A different environment provides different cues for your brain to process, and all the sudden you're allowing different thoughts to flow through your mind. You can also try stepping outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air, or find a quiet space for deep breathing.
Try Going to Sleep:
If feasible, consider taking a nap or going to bed early. This simple action forces your body to shift from fight-or-flight mode to rest-and-digest mode, providing a much-needed reprieve. But don't focus on 'going to sleep', per se (that'll just stress you out more if you can't do it); instead, focus on providing yourself with the kind of relaxed environment/process that would facilitate sleep. Quality sleep is a powerful ally in times of stress.
Or try Doing Something Nice for Somebody Else:
Stressful, uncertain times can make you feel helpless. Doing something kind for someone else - no matter how small - can give you a sense of taking control! It's a great way to shift your perspective, lift your spirits, and break the cycle of negativity. Send a nice text to a friend, leave a holiday card in your mailbox for your mail person, or perform a random act of kindnessβthese acts of service will help kick you out of victim mode and melt your stress away.
Remember, nothing is permanent and you've got what it takes to make this season a little brighter!
Happy Holidays!
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