The holidays promise feelings of love and gratitude. Many are gearing to have this season be as meaningful as possible in a year filled with turmoil. Holidays now not only promise moments to connect but to reconnect and rekindle meaningful relationships with others. While recognizing how holidays are understood as significant moments, some people may feel differently. For some, the holidays don’t live up to their expectations. The dizzying array of demands may be overwhelming for some to keep up with, while others experience depression and stress. Due to the stress of COVID and many might be feeling anxiety about keeping their loved ones safe. Here are some tips to help those who may be feeling lonely or overwhelmed during the holiday season.
Avoid setting expectations
We all want the holidays to be perfect. It is a fantasy that everything will go smoothly and without any conflicts. The ideals, however, often set us up to be disappointed by the reality of our celebration. Be sure to practice flexibility and manage your expectations before attending your holiday gathering. If traditions cannot be done, consider making new ones. Finally, be sure to enjoy the moment and little things in your celebrations without trying to control everything.
Acknowledge your feelings
The holidays are a natural time for self-reflection. Sometimes, the self-reflection can take us to feel sadness, grief, or not good enough. What’s important to remember with these moments of emotion is to remind ourselves that our feelings are valid—no one can force themselves to be happy. It is okay to take time to cry or express your feelings. However, if we feel not good enough, we must remind ourselves of our own worth and not let our critical inner voice limit our joy.
Spend time with your family of choice
Often, we feel obligated to spend time with family members whom may not make us feel the best. Whether we choose to that or not, it is important to set time to spend with those who make us feel loved and cared for. This can be immediate family members, your partner, or friends who make us feel like ourselves.
Volunteer
If we feel lonely and disconnected, then seek out settings where you’re sharing something (even with complete strangers). Volunteering is the best thing you can do when feeling lonely—especially during the holidays. It forces is to get out of our head and focus on a shared project/goal with others.
Don’t abandon healthy habits
It is easy to indulge during the holidays. However, overindulgence often leads us to feeling more stressed and guilty. Try to maintain healthy habits even during the holiday season. Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, meditate, and eat healthy snacks.
Although the holiday season is filled with cheer, it can be a source of loneliness and stress for many. There is no right way to feel during the holiday season. Be sure to be in tune with your inner self and make space for yourself to enjoy this holiday season properly. Feel free to check out the resource below for more ideas on better coping with stress and loneliness during the holiday season.
Resources and references:Â Â
https://www.psychalive.org/5-ways-fight-loneliness-holidays/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/mental-health/holiday-loneliness
