5 Tips for Managing the Holidays

4 min read

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Well, it depends on who you ask. For some people, it’s truly a joyful and magical time of year with gatherings, parties, decorations, rituals, music, gifts, and connections. For other people, this time of year can bring up a slew of emotions and a myriad of issues that can throw them a little off balance, which may cause unease. Whether we are prone to feeling joyful or anxious, the holidays are filled with stimulation. 

No matter how you feel, the following are tips and inspirations that can help us better experience, if not enjoy the holidays as much as possible.

1. Reflect on what would make the holidays great

Having a meaningful and enjoyable holiday starts with intention. Ask yourself, what would make the holidays great? I encourage us to take some time to write down how we want the holiday to go ideally. Maybe you are presenting a significant other to your family, visiting family abroad, or this is your first holiday without a loved one. How do you want your loved ones to engage with your partner? What will make your travels a smooth experience? How do you want to navigate this holiday without a loved one?  By expressing our desired outcome in advance, we can speak positively over what could happen.

For more inspiration on practicing priming your brain to take on whatever good you have claimed for yourself this holiday season, read the Affirming Our Stories blog post.

2. Understand your limits

For many of us, the holiday season is when we feel the need to go above and beyond for loved ones. Whether it's overspending to give nice gifts to our family or putting up with people who stir up unresolved pain and guilt, we can feel angry, frustrated, or resentful towards others or ourselves at the end of the holiday season. By sharing what we want, what we can do, and what we don't want, we are able to set boundaries that lessen the negative emotions.  

If you are tight on money or want to be better with your finances, it is helpful to be clear with your family about your budget so that their expectations can be managed. You can also decline to attend particular gatherings that may not be good for your emotional health. The word "no" is a complete statement; you don't have to explain yourself if you are not ready to.

Although sharing your limitations may be a bit uncomfortable, being honest and vulnerable can help us feel more at ease.

3. Share Family Stories 

The holidays are the perfect time to sit with loved ones and talk to one another. Sing songs. Play games. Recite poetry and verse. Read stories. Tell our own stories. 

An easy way to facilitate storytelling with family is through photographs. Ask family members to bring their favorite old photo and to tell the story of the photograph. The picture will jumpstart the conversation and help you bond. By listening and sharing memories, we can bequeath ourselves and our families with the joy and laughter that can be experienced through storytelling. 

4. Be Mindful 

It's normal to indulge during this time of year—an abundance of mouth-watering meals, seasonal treats, and festive alcoholic drinks surround us. We don't need to feel bad or deprive ourselves of savoring these special moments. But it's also important to pause and take stock of what we consume and how it's making us feel. Sometimes we tend to indulge not because we want to but because we feel anxious. For example, are you reaching for another round of drinks because you want to fit in, blend in with the crowd, or keep the peace with certain family members? By pausing and asking ourselves, what am I feeling, we can tune into our body, sensations, thoughts, and feelings. When we are in touch with how we are feeling, we are less likely to let our emotions push us into overindulgence and better put our body and mind first over pleasing others.

5. Take Deep Breaths

At any point during the holidays, we can pause and take deep breaths: 

Close your eyes. 

Breathe in slowly through your nose, allowing your chest and lower belly to rise as you fill your lungs. 

Let your abdomen expand fully. 

Now breathe out slowly through your mouth (or your nose, if that feels more natural). 

This simple practice of breathing activates our body's rest response, helping us to shift into a state of relaxation. We may experience greater peace, quiet, and perspective as we breathe with intention.

Bonus tip - drink water (seriously, do it!)

While the holidays may not be exciting for all, there are ways to make it more manageable. I hope you find these tips helpful and that they bring peace and joy within yourself and help you avoid uncomfortable situations and feelings. If you take nothing else from this article, remember do not let this be another holiday season where you're stressed, spent, and upset at the end of it all.

I'd love to hear what you are doing to make the most of the holidays this year. Please share in the comments!

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