Tend to Your Needs this Holiday Season
2 min
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . It’s the happiest season of all.” So says a classic song of the holiday season. But is it?
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.
Having a meaningful and enjoyable holiday starts with emotional well-being. Ask yourself, what emotion am I experiencing? I encourage us to take some time to write down how we feel, where we feel those emotions, and why we feel. Maybe you are nervous about presenting a significant other to your family, anxious about visiting family abroad, or grieving 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?
Writing about our emotions acts as a stress reliever, enabling us to slow down, process what life throws at us, and address our emotions in a comfortable and safe space. Research suggests that discussing deep emotions through writing can boost immune function, elevate mood, and improve well-being. Conversely, the stress from bottling up strong feelings can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension. Brain scans of individuals who documented their emotions revealed that they were able to better control their emotional responses than those who wrote about an experience without including emotions. Additionally, writing about our feelings fosters mindfulness, interrupting the cycle of negative thoughts that emerge and intensify when dealing with difficult situations or transitional periods, such as holidays. By putting our emotions on paper, we can release those negative thoughts from our minds or recognize and cultivate the positive ones.
Enter the MyKume Journal, designed to help you connect with your feelings and thoughts that arise from various life experiences–positive or negative–and ultimately offer clarity.
With its simple guided format, the MyKume Journal encourages you to write, reflect, and explore yourself each day. This journal features an emotional word bank, a body map, practical self-soothing tips, and inspiring quotes. It empowers you to hold space for both joy and heartbreak, solitude and connections, laughter and grief. It doesn’t seek to erase or fix; it provides a space where you can fully embrace your dynamic self.
This holiday season, make a conscious effort to prioritize emotional well-being by tending to your needs. Reach for your MyKume Journal and spend some time each day reflecting on your emotions and experiences—nurture your inner garden and witness your flourishing.
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