The holiday blues can sneak up on anyone. Use these ideas to not only get through the holidays but to hopefully find joy along the way.
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Beat the holiday blues
1. Give service
Getting outside of your own worries and concerns can be a great way to lighten your own load. Look for someone who is struggling more than yourself and do something to help.
2. Exercise
Get out and walk! Or run! Whatever kind of exercise you prefer, make it happen. You’ll feel so much better for taking care of you.
3. Keep a holiday gratitude journal.
Each day, write down five things you’re grateful for. Throughout each day, keep your eye out for things to write down. It’s amazing how changing your focus can have such a big impact on the way you look at life. You can use any journal for this or purchase one specially designed here.
4. Have a plan
If you’re already struggling during the holidays, having structure can help you through. Overall, you can know what’s going to happen and be ready to handle it. If there’s an event that you feel could be more than can manage, skip it or look for positive ways to make it through ahead of time.
5. Plan down time
Give yourself some time to just “be” without having to meet anyone’s expectations.
6. Set priorities
Choose three things that are most important to you this year and realize that every year is different. We find ourselves in different situations and stages of life and be realistic about what to expect from each.
*Read more about setting holiday priorities in this post: Take the “crazy” out of your holidays
7. Spend wisely
If you’re spending more than you can easily afford, you’ll end up even more stressed and depressed.
8. Accept sadness
Whether you’re grieving a lost love one or heartbroken about changes in your life, accept that it’s okay to be sad during the holidays. Sometimes we feel things must be perfect to the point we make it harder for ourselves to feel. Let yourself work through your true feelings with the hope you can then feel joy.
9. Let go of guilt
It’s easy to get caught up in a cloud of guilt- for so many reasons. Maybe you feel you need to do more or you’re feeling guilty for the joy you find despite bad circumstances. Release that guilt and focus on the positive.
10. Forgive
If you’re holding on the past grudges or other hurts, forgive. Find that peace for your soul.
11. Embrace the positive
Is there really ever a “perfect” holiday season? Love the good things and let go of the rest.
12. When you’re struggling, stay off social media.
We all know that social media is only showing tiny moments of time, but it’s easy to let the vision of those happy-looking moments get us down and and make us feel insufficient, regardless of the fact that it isn’t “real” life.
Seek professional help if you need to.
These ideas are for the common heartaches we may all feel from time to time. If you’re struggling with something more serious or longer-lasting than holiday blues, there are many resources available. Please look for professionals in your area.
This post is part of the 31 Days of Christmas series. Check out the other holiday ideas!
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