December 2024

By Jeannine Moga, MA, MSW, LCSW

Managing the Holiday Hoopla: Tips for Preserving Wellbeing

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog, Jeannine Moga, MA, MSW, LCSW talks the impact the holiday season has on our wellbeing. The holiday season is a busy and stressful time for most of us. When the world feels uncertain and the personal pressures accumulate, the holidays we usually look forward to may not feel the same. How can we keep our balance as the year comes to an end? Consider these five tips:

1) Adjust your expectations. It’s tough to abide by holiday routines, invitations, and celebrations if you’re just not feeling it. A healthy approach to setting holiday boundaries requires identifying what you need most: is it connection, solitude, rest, or an opportunity to blow off steam? Based on your answer, place boundaries around what you are willing, and unwilling, to take part in – and then communicate those boundaries openly and honestly. There’s no “right” way to walk through the holiday season, and a “No, thank you” is always okay.

2) Make conscious decisions about the traditions you want to uphold – and the ones you feel okay letting go of this year. Traditions and rituals anchor us to a sense of order and meaning, and this is particularly true when life gets up-ended. Some holiday rituals and traditions help us feel connected to our values and our loved ones – and others are a lot less meaningful. Scale back a bit and focus on the activities, relationships, and rituals that foster comfort and connection.

Image by svklimkin from Pixabay

3) Take care of your body so your body can support your needs. This time of year is often accompanied by ample opportunities to indulge! While indulgence can be fun, it can also throw us off-balance (especially if we find comfort in food, alcohol, and/or being busy). Keep in mind that each of us is optimally situated to greet the new year with energy and intention when our brains and bodies are rested and nourished. Make sure to prioritize self-care this holiday season and think twice before indulging when you’re HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, and/or tired).

Image by Derek Wolfgang from Pixabay

4) If you’re grieving, take time to remember. When we are acutely aware of someone’s absence, intentionally making the time and space to remember them is important. Looking at photos, jotting down favorite memories, and sharing stories about our loved ones can make us feel closer to them while saving space for them to still be part of our life. During holiday time, it may be good to think about how we can include missing loved ones in our celebrations in a way that does not require their physical presence. For example, including a loved one’s favorite food on the holiday menu can ‘save space’ for someone we miss while honoring them in a loving way.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

5) Ask for support. When everyone around you is celebrating – and you just aren’t in the holiday mood, or you are afraid the holidays will trigger bigger challenges (like family conflict) – it is important to put yourself in the path of support. This is the perfect time to make use of wellbeing resources provided by your employer and/or found within your local community. Checking in with a primary care provider is a great first step when we’re feeling drained. If you’re curious about how stress is impacting your mental health, you can take a confidential online assessment HERE. And to find resources near you, call United Way’s 211 warmline for a listing of local mental health providers.

Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay

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