THRIVING Through the Holidays!

The holidays are upon us and although this is usually a warm and loving time of year, the holidays can bring unwanted stress and feelings of unrealistic expectations and discontent. So, what can a person do to not just "make it through" the holiday season but THRIVE through it all?
 
1. Give yourself some time before you say YES. 
Many times we take on extra activities and responsibilities without checking in with ourselves to see if we have the resources to accomplish these tasks. When someone makes a request of us, let them know you have to check your schedule first and will get back to him or her. This will give you time to decide if you have the extra energy, time, finances, etc. to carry out this request.
 
2. Honor your SELF with some kindness and self-care.
Often times there is so much to do with very little time that our self-care gets pushed aside. Make sure to carve out some time for yourself, put it in your planner if you need to so you can have time to recharge and take care of yourself. Remember, you cannot take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.
 
3. Start a new tradition.
Many of us have family traditions that make the holidays feel special. Some of those traditions may not work for us anymore though and yet we continue to follow these traditions out of obligation. Re-assess what traditions work for you and your family by asking. Gently toss aside what isn’t working and incorporate parts that do work or start something new altogether for treasured memories. Maybe one new tradition could be to count all the reasons you have to be grateful! Gratitude is a very powerful tool to help us feel appreciated and invested in our lives.
 
If you “survive” another holiday feeling drained and depressed, maybe speaking to a non-judgmental person could help get you back on track. Here at Carlsbad Counseling Center we would be honored to help you not just “make it through” the holidays but THRIVE through the holidays! We are here for YOU. [619] 431-1842