Last week, we chatted about ways we can take care of ourselves during the holidays! Let's keep chatting a bit more about this! Since we can never have too many tips!
Manage Your Time
Plan ahead to avoid last-minute stress. Set aside specific times for tasks like gift shopping, cooking, or family gatherings. I tend to do this, but go over board at times. So I try to also remind myself that not everything needs to be on a schedule. Try to think of what DOES need specific times for tasks, and what is ok to go with the flow!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, delegate tasks or accept help from others when possible. I know it can be hard to do this. Accepting help is HARD at times! AND remember that we can not do everything alone! It's ok (and important) to allow ourselves to receive help, especially when we are used to be the "helper."
Limit Social Media
Social media can sometimes make you feel like everyone else is having a “perfect” holiday, which can contribute to feelings of inadequacy or stress. I know this may sound a bit silly, but it's true! Remember that most people only post things that are amazing. Sometime,s those things are even staged! So it's an unrealistic expectation that we could be placing on ourselves!
Consider taking breaks from social media or unfollowing accounts that make you feel pressured or negative. This is something that is not only for the holidays. We can choose who we follow. If someone (myself included!) is fueling your feeling of "ugh..." it's more than ok to say "bye!"
Acknowledge Your Feelings
It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions during the holidays—whether that’s sadness, stress, joy, or loneliness. Many of you may know this, but I lost my father a few years ago in December. Holiday seasons can be a bit hard for us at times, since it's a time where we notice that he isn't there. AND... its ok to acknowledge that. It doesn't take away from the good feelings that we have too- connectedness, joy, etc.
Be kind to yourself, and don’t suppress negative emotions. Recognize them, and if needed, talk about them with a trusted person. If you don't have a trusted person, try to see if there are support groups or therapists or warmlines that you can reach out to! There are also a lot of social media profiles that can help us feel connected!
With these in mind, let's jump into this week's Therapist Mama Bear Tip!
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