Despite the constant good cheer, we all know the holidays can be a difficult time for many. As always, we are here to support you.
We might be missing friends and family members who are not close by or maybe visiting family members who bring up unhealed wounds. With parties, family, travel, and a heavy emphasis on gift giving and receiving, the holidays can create stressful situations and bring up a multitude of feelings. From family drama to financial stress, it makes sense that this time of year isn’t always a cheery time for all.
And that’s okay.
Your holiday season doesn’t have to look like a Hallmark card. The sensory overload, emphasis on unhealthy foods, constant well wishes, stores flaunting big sales, questions about plans, and barrage of social media posts all add to the pressure many people feel during the holidays. If you’re feeling triggered, anxious, lonely or noticing grief popping back up, you’re not alone.
So what can you do to carve out that extra support for yourself during a frantic or triggering holiday season?
The good news is that you have the power to take various grounding techniques and actions (and inactions) that can alleviate some of that stress and ensure a more balanced and peaceful holiday season. And the key– there is no one size fits all. This holiday season, see if you can apply the theory of personalized medicine to your personal self-care by following the steps below.
What we have no matter what in all these situations is our relationship with ourselves. So start by asking yourself the following questions:
How am I feeling?
How can I fill my cup with love?
How can I be more gentle with myself?
How can I pamper myself?
What do I need?
Maybe It Looks Like
- Maybe it looks like being a little more patient with yourself than usual.
- Maybe a daily bath or walk outside.
- Maybe it looks like putting away your work to-do list and your personal to-do list and giving yourself permission to accomplish nothing (which is accomplishing a lot in the long run).
- Maybe it looks like sitting on the couch staring out the window, listening to a loved playlist, practicing deep breathing, or diving into a new book just for pleasure.
- Maybe it looks like sharing with a loved one how you’re feeling, or maybe it means taking space to process things in solitude.
- Maybe your body is craving a hearty vegetable soup or perhaps it would rather indulge in a decadent chocolate cake.
- Maybe it’s time to finally make that recipe. (if you need some inspiration 😉
- Maybe it looks like setting or reinforcing boundaries around how you spend your time and what you say yes to.
A Holiday As Unique as You
The beauty of this process is that it won’t look the same as anyone else’s. Slow down and tune into what you need this holiday season to stay balanced and grounded– and then give yourself that thing! Buy the chocolate cake! Say no to the plans. Start reading that book.
Though there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to self-care during the holidays, going for a walk outside is almost guaranteed to improve your mental health and emotional state (and bring you a sense of calm if you don’t know where to start). The combination of being outside (even if it’s cold!) and gently moving your body is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to boost your mood– even if it’s just around the block.
Listen to Your Heart
When you get quiet enough to listen to what your body and heart are telling you, you become more aligned with your authentic self. When you act from this place, and nurture yourself from here, people will feel a sense of groundedness about you that they can’t help but be curious about. You will, in time, actually inspire those around you. So don’t worry about what others might say or think, and make the decisions that are best for you during this time of the year.
Be Gentle with Yourself
Keep coming back to these questions above for moments of pause and check-in throughout the holiday season, and keep taking aligned action to give yourself what you need. You are capable of providing compassion and care for yourself in the same way you constantly deliver compassion and care to the loved ones in your life. So allow this holiday season to be what it is, accept what comes and do what you can to be there for yourself.
If you found this helpful, please pass it along!
People Also Ask
What does stay grounded mean?
Staying grounded means being able to maintain composure and remain connected to your core self in times of uncertainty. It means you are not swayed by external confusion, but instead have full control over your emotions, thoughts, values, purpose, and vision for the future.
How do people stay grounded?
The ability to stay grounded is not a “one size fits all” type of thing. However, one way many individuals stay grounded is to take a moment to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment and being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. It can help people become more aware of their environment and reduce stress and anxiety. Ways to stay grounded and focus on mindfulness include taking time to connect with nature, focusing on the things that bring you joy, and taking breaks from technology. Additionally, it may be helpful to practice activities like yoga, meditation, journaling, and creative arts that can help people to relax, regulate their emotions, and stay present in the moment.
What does it mean for a person to be grounded?
Being grounded means that a person is well-balanced and has a good understanding of their emotions. A person who is grounded is often seen as having good self-control. They are able to remain composed in difficult situations and make decisions with a clear head. Being grounded gives a person more control over their life, allowing them to make better decisions and relationships.
