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Guest posting by Emylea Trotter  The “Holiday Blues” is a term coined by National Alliance on Mental Illness that is the temporary feeling of anxiety or depression during the holidays that can be associated with the extra stress, unrealistic expectations or even memories that accompany the season. These feelings could include but are not limited to:
But why does this matter? The holidays can mean multiple different things to everyone. It could be a time of love and joy surrounded by family while it could be a time of mourning and loneliness for others. Either way you need to focus on your mental and physical health this holiday season.
5 Tips and Things to Remember 1. Be Present in the Moment. It is easy to get caught up in plans and the quick turn arounds with friends or family. Instead of just checking things or people off your holiday checklist, take a step out and realize where you are and with who. We are not always promised the next day, which is a grim thought, but we need to be appreciative of the time we get to have with our loved ones in every season. 2. Continue or Start a Self-Care Routine. Self-care is quickly forgotten among the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Taking care of yourself can mean eating regular and nutritious meals, meditating, taking naps, doing activities that are relaxing and bring you joy. 3. Set Boundaries. It can quickly become overwhelming jumping from house to house or plan to plan. We feel the pressure to always say yes to every activity or event that our friends and family present us. Family dynamics can also be complex or demanding. You must acknowledge and accept that you can only control your role and actions. If you need, to you can find ways to limit your exposure or contact with them. Also remember that family could be who you chose instead of who you were given. 4. Set Time Aside to REST. The holidays are usually packed with family, friends, and everything in between. It is so easy to have every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas packed full of activities and get-togethers. As important as spending time with loved ones is, it is also important to set time aside for yourself. This could look like just taking a few moments to breathe or meditate or taking a full nap to recharge. Or spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, could refresh you enough to handle everything. Some other options may include taking a walk at night and stargazing, listening to soothing music and/ or reading a book. 5. Reflecting Over Your Year. As we near the end of another year, we must be appreciative of where we are. 2020 and 2021 have been challenging years for many of us. This is a good time to reflect on what or who are you grateful for. You could write these down for yourself or to share with your loved ones. Whatever you are celebrating this year it’s important to take care of yourself throughout it all. Overcoming the stress and finding effective methods that help you is essential to your own health. Let’s put ourselves first and find a new perspective that can help find happiness throughout the holiday season that can carry itself into the new year. Have questions about your Holiday stress management? We are more than happy to help! Our team is focused on preventative health and wellness to help you avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital, prevent injuries and keep you feeling your best! Comments are closed.
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Meet Your TherapistJessica has been in Austin, TX for the past four years. She grew up in Idaho and attended PT school at Idaho State University. She completed an Orthopaedic Residency and became a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist in 2016. Archives
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