Managing emotions during the holiday season
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EmailMindfulness techniques can help with high and low emotions brought on by the holiday season.
November 1 marks the unofficial start of the holiday season. You may notice sightings of holiday festivities in your local stores and on your streaming services: decorations, music and movies. In addition, it is the time of year for special dinners, sweets and plenty of gatherings.
It is often assumed that this holiday season is joyful for everyone, but the holidays can bring a variety of emotions for people that include joy, happiness, stress, anxiety or even depressed feelings. Knowing the holiday season brings a variety of emotions for many, we can try to be mindful and empathetic about the feelings individuals may be experiencing, including our own.
Many families and friends gather together during the holidays. Families are a happy connection for some and form stress or frustration for others. It could even be a combination of a variety of emotions. The holiday season could ignite emotions of missing a loved one who passed away or anticipating a family conflict. These thoughts can cause feelings of sadness or anxiety.
Here are a few mindfulness options to consider when engaging with family and friends during the holidays and in general. These tips can assist in addressing and decreasing stress, anxiety and depressed feelings.
- Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your own feelings, challenges and emotional responses, which will assist you in being mindful of your interactions with others.
- Plan ahead. Think in advance of how you might handle an uncomfortable situation with a family member or friend and have a plan for decreasing stress.
- Remove yourself from stressful situations. You don’t have to remain in a stressful situation or environment. You can politely excuse yourself if necessary.
- Financial stressors. Try not to overwhelm yourself with purchasing expensive gifts for others; this may cause more stress with budgets or credit card bills. Instead, consider making a sentimental gift or purchasing a small token of gratitude.
- Practice saying no. Say no thank you to an invitation or a request if you are not up to it. Multiple holiday gatherings and parties can be exhausting and you are not required to attend each one just because you are invited.
- Put yourself first. Considering your needs first is not selfish, it is a form of self-care. Take time to relax and replenish your “capacity battery”.
- Grief and loss. The holiday season may surface memories of loved ones who have passed away. Explore the option to honor your deceased loved ones with a special holiday tradition which may assist with processing emotions.
Hopefully the holiday season will bring you joy and peace. But if you experience stress, anxiety or depressed feelings, please remember these helpful tips as well as the ability to reach out for support, if needed. The 988 hotline is not just the suicide lifeline but a resource to connect individuals with mental health professionals.
Michigan State University Extension has more information on managing holiday stress and decreasing stress with mindfulness. Learn more at:
