The holiday season can be both a wonderful and joyous experience while somehow also managing to be an exhausting, anxiety-ridden nightmare. Holidays mean travel, tense family gatherings, stress between partners, the never ending to-do list of cooking and cleaning, and the feeling that you never have the time to breathe. Most adults experience some sort of holiday blues, so here are a few ways to take care of yourself this season!
Communicate
Whether it’s your partner, sibling, or parent, chances are you’ll be tasked with some role in the holiday event. We often react harshly towards our loved ones during tense holiday planning, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We just need to practice effective communication to improve morale. Be clear in your expectations with your family, let them know what you need from them and only offer help when you can truly handle it. Divide and conquer tasks when you can. No one individual should have to be responsible for an entire feast, spread the wealth and ease the burden this holiday season.
Self-Help/Self Care
Don’t hesitate to take some time for yourself. We love buying gifts and cheer for others, but don’t neglect number one during the season of giving. Take little breaks from prolonged family visits. Feel free to duck away for a nap or a walk if you need some alone time. The isolation of quarantine can make family gatherings quite overwhelming if you’re out of practice. Don’t feel guilty about treating yourself either! Schedule the pedicure or hair appointment that you’ve been pushing off, the tasks of holiday cards and gift-shopping can wait.
See the Professionals
If you’re having issues with anxiety, schedule an appointment to speak with a professional about it. If you need to have that hammertoe surgery, schedule the surgery! It’s okay to seek help and take time for yourself. If you tend to lean on friends and family during the holiday season, give them the gift of an emotional break and see the professionals instead. You won’t regret it!
Get Moving!
One of the biggest complaints of the holiday season is that there is so much to eat but so little to do for exercise. If you don’t mind the cold weather, obviously you can burn some calories with skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc. but if you need some ideas for indoor activities, search no more! If you steer clear of the fried food and sugary beverages, bowling can actually burn a few calories! Not convinced? Indoor golf simulators are the latest and greatest inventions of the fair-weather sport. You can take a full swing inside and virtually play famous courses, it’s a win-win! Still need more? If you really want some extreme action, consider laser tag or trampolines! Full workouts and family fun! A double victory for the season!
The holidays don’t have to be difficult. Just remember to take care of yourself, ask for help when needed, communicate when you can, and don’t be afraid to have a little fun!
Practicing self-care during the holidays is one of the most effective strategies to handle stress, which can accumulate and provoke a relapse. It is critical to manage your stress in order to maintain your sobriety. Take the time to pamper yourself so that you may start the new year feeling rejuvenated rather than frazzled.
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Do not hesitate and be depressed to take some rest for yourself. We love buying gifts and cheering for others and of course you, but don’t neglect number one during the season of giving yourself.