| Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. | | | The holidays are often filled with joy as we gather with loved ones, partake in merrymaking traditions, practice gratitude, and enjoy some time away from work schedules. Still, it's a busy season that can sometimes cause stress, trigger generalized anxiety, or create extra pressures. | | | According to the American Psychological Association (APA), almost half of all women (44%) and a third of men (31%) report increased stress around the holidays." | | As wonderful as the holidays can be, it's quite simple to find ourselves struggling to keep the candle burning until we're completely burnt out. Keep these mental health tips in mind as you navigate the next week.
Limit Your Obligations
We say yes to quite a bit during the holiday season. Keeping busy is OK, but remain aware of how much you're biting off. Some ways to limit obligations include asking someone else to host, setting time limits for get-togethers, and prioritizing events that feel meaningful versus obligatory.
Be Mindful of Imbibing and Eating Sweets
Science tells us that overindulging in alcohol—which is plentiful throughout the holiday season—can worsen feelings of stress and anxiety. Ongoing, high quantities of sugar can also have a negative impact. Research has found that it makes it more difficult to regulate emotions, increases anxiety, and heightens risk for depression.
Avoid Guilting Yourself
At the same time, try not to get bogged down in an "I overdid it" headspace. We all indulge around the holiday season thanks to extra gatherings, bigger meals, and more sweets. Do your best to prioritize nutritional balance, but at the same time embrace the season's indulgences and know that things will go back to "normal" soon enough.
Connect with Loved Ones
Loneliness is a common feeling during the holiday season. To combat these feelings, connect with loved ones near and far. Make phone calls, set up video chats, share pictures, and get together if possible.
Make Undecorating Fun
Create a ritual around taking down your holiday decorations. Removing them can often stir feelings of melancholy, but creating tradition around the process can foster joy. For example, you might take them down every New Year's day with family and hot cocoa. | | Ways to Stay Positive This Week | | | Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body | This week, write down one or two obstacles you're facing during this holiday season. Maybe it's overlapping parties or missing loved ones. What is an effective way you can work through that problem and foster joy and excitement? | -
Inspired by the zen practice of living in the moment, the Buddha Board provides a blank page for you to create serene watercolor paintings that disappear as the water evaporates, encouraging mindfulness and serenity. | | | |
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