Here are some tips to avoid falling into traps and have more control over the situation
The holidays are a time when everyone feels compelled to have fun and enjoy time with family or friends. But for a large number of people it is a difficult time.
Meeting relatives can bring a lot of joy, but it can also bring up old conflicts. And for those who have lost a loved one, the pain of grief and longing can resurface, along with memories of previous years.
Avoiding emotions is impossible. But some attitudes can help you better deal with melancholy or irritation during this period:
1. Practice acceptance
Your feelings are valid and you should allow yourself to feel them, even if the pressure is to forget and enjoy yourself. Paying attention to your emotions and not being ashamed of them is something that can help in a time like this. Thinking that you shouldn’t feel this or that way will only make things worse. But also remember that negative emotions come and go and that sadness or anger won’t stay forever.
2. Make time for what gives you pleasure
Shopping for groceries, preparing dinner, packing things for travel and many other commitments can be stressful. But we must also prioritize ourselves and the things that give us pleasure. This includes watching a movie or series, paying attention to the people you love, or going for a walk or run.
3. Don’t neglect basic needs
In the holiday rush, it’s easy to neglect your basic needs. This can have a significant impact and make difficult emotions even heavier. So make sure you get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, eat balanced meals and breathe deeply. You also need to be very careful about the tendency to drink too much alcohol. Although alcohol brings short-term relaxation or euphoria, those who are sad may feel even worse after two or more drinks.
4. Plan for challenges
If you’re worried about the emotions the day might bring, it can be helpful to have a plan. For example, if you’re already waiting for someone to make a comment you don’t want to hear, plan your response. If you already know that certain arguments are inevitable during family meals, think of something you can do to avoid stress.
5. Create new traditions
When there is a separation in the family or you are dealing with a loss, Christmas can be very painful. In this case, it is worth thinking about a new way of celebrating, or trying to spend the day with different people or even doing some volunteer work, to distract your thoughts and give a new meaning to the holidays.
6. Be honest with others
You might be surprised at how many other people have trouble celebrating the holidays. This can also be a way to increase connection with others (including those who work during the holidays), reduce tension and pressure to feel better at any cost. Remember that no one is perfect and everyone fails from time to time.
7. Ask for help if you need it
If you need practical help, or even psychological help, don’t be ashamed to ask. Please know that there are support services, such as CVV.org.br, that keep people on call at this time of year, as well as health services in general. Friends may also be happy to help you.
8. Pay attention to social media
Browsing platforms to send Happy Holidays to the people you love is inevitable, but many people also suffer from comparing themselves with others. This can be a trap to trigger negative emotions. The ideal is therefore to spend as little time as possible on the internet and make the most of the present moment.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
