If you have recently separated from your ex, the holidays this year may look frighteningly different than in past years.
Maybe you are used to big family dinners, but for the first time ever, the kids are spending Christmas at dad’s house. Maybe you and your little ones are spending Thanksgiving together, and you’re not sure how your child will react to a quieter celebration.
If you’re feeling a sense of dread as the holidays loom, then you’re in the right place. This week, we’re taking a look at some smart ways to endure, experience, and yes, even enjoy this upcoming season.
Find the Light in the Storm...
Here are a few handy tools to equip yourself with, as those big days speed closer.
Notice the Great Stuff
The holidays can be intensely lonely, stressful, and overwhelming. Even as you are at your lowest though, challenge yourself to notice positive moments.
Take photographs of patterns in the snow, catch unexpected coffee dates with friends who are in town for the holidays, or start a new tradition only you could have thought of.
There are beautiful moments surrounding us… and all we have to do is notice.
Invest in Community
One of the most powerful ways of lifting your mood and finding a sense of wellbeing is spending time with people you love.
In fact, spending time with others has been found to not only give you a mood boost, but also increase your immune function, lengthen your life, and some research now suggests that our brains actually work better when we’re among other people.
Even if it’s painful at first… get out of the house. Spend time with friends, go to that holiday party, host an event, find folks who share your interests, and surround yourself with the beauty of others.
Give Thanks
Research suggests that noticing things you are grateful for actually boosts your happiness.
Volunteer serving food to the homeless on Thanksgiving, sing in a church choir for Christmas, and find creative ways to give thanks and help others. Simply noticing the wonderful parts of your life will help redirect your attention from challenges, and will increase your sense of wellbeing.
Merriment? It Can Be Yours…
It might feel like enjoying the holidays is impossible. But, by spending time with those you love, giving thanks, and noticing the great parts of your life - you can bring a sense of joy, even into the hardest moments.
So, here’s to you and your holiday season.
Summary of Parts I and II: Part one of this series looks at how to embrace this holiday season, and care for yourself during stressful times. Part two looks at three different ways to approach the holiday season.
