Written by: Rozanna Wyatt, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The vortex of the holiday season is upon us. It can make even the most festive elf feel a little scroogy by the end of it all. It’s no wonder if any of this sounds familiar?
Eggnog toasts with estranged family members, juggling in-person get-togethers with virtual meetups, stressful shopping, and munching on one too many sweets or savory treats. Trying to stay clear of conversational landmines you’d rather not ignite and balancing whimsical holiday stories with the realities of your life. Or wishing you had just one day to yourself because you’ve been running from one activity to the next or being all things to all people other than yourself.
The truth is, for some, the holiday season is fun-filled and joyful, and for others, it can ignite frustration, disappointment, burnout, and even the winter blues.
You can set yourself up to thrive throughout the holiday season and beyond with these six totally doable tips.
1. Fill Your Stocking With Sanity Savers
Self-care isn’t always easy throughout the holiday season. So prepare to take care of yourself by stuffing your stocking with self-soothing items that help you cope with stress and emotions as they rise to the surface. This could be a journal to express your thoughts and feelings. An aromatherapy bath bomb to soothe tension and give you a restful sleep. A personalized note reminding yourself to call a friend when feeling overwhelmed and in need of a lifeline. Herbal tea (like matcha) to provide you with a boost of antioxidants and promote relaxation.
2. Rein In And Reframe Expectations
Holiday festivities can turn negative if expectations, thoughts, and feelings aren’t managed. Despite what whimsical stories and movies depict, there is no such thing as a perfect holiday. By releasing the need to be or have something perfect, you can see the humor and joy in the circumstances, which ends up being far more memorable than a carefully crafted “perfect” moment.
Learning to identify and cope with emotions and thoughts is helpful for us any time of the year. Start by identifying and labeling the feeling you are experiencing (i.e., sadness, disappointment, confusion, etc.). The act of acknowledging emotions takes power away from them versus ignoring it and pretending like everything is okay.
Next, identify the Scrooge inner-critic thoughts you’re experiencing. For example, “I ruined Christmas by undercooking the turkey.” Then challenge or reframe the thought by asking yourself, “What would I tell a friend if they told me this?” Say or write down that advice, and then give yourself the same advice. By doing so, you are enhancing your emotional state, normalizing your experience, and promoting inner-acceptance with yourself. *Note – the reframing question can be applied to any scenario.
3. Say Goodbye To Traditions
I’m no Grinch but let's face it, sometimes the holidays are just too much. So if simplifying your life and the holiday season is what you need, give yourself permission to do so! Maybe this means not competing with the neighbors for the best Christmas light display or the Griswold house that had a whole production team. Only make three desserts instead of six. Staying home and celebrating with your immediate family or closest friends who are your family. Or trading in hours of shopping for the perfect gifts for donations to a local charity. Saying goodbye to the traditions that no longer serve you equals simplifying your life, less resentment, and more fulfillment.
4. Plan For Alone Time
Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean you and your routine have to come second. And, if you’ve been overcommitting the whole year, all the more reason to slow down.
Having time for yourself and engaging in activities you love allows you to recharge, reflect, and keep motivated. Start by setting boundaries around your schedule for when you’ll have alone time. Next, identify how you’ll spend your alone time. Maybe it’s watching a movie, curling up with a book, going for a walk, taking a yoga class, or writing in your journal.
5. Play The Gratitude Game
Activate the joy of the season and identify what you’re grateful for as you look upon the year that’s about to come to an end. Express gratitude for three things in your personal and professional life, what you’re specifically grateful for this holiday season, and anticipate what you’ll be grateful for in the year to come (a little setting of the intentions, if you will). By giving gratitude, you’re stimulating your feel-good endorphins, which give your mood an immediate boost.
6. Give The Gift Of Working On Yourself
Sometimes, no matter your best intentions, the holiday season becomes overwhelming. You might feel like you’re unable to cope with emotions. Memories from past or present painful holiday events keep you from feeling happy and thriving throughout the holiday season. Or, regret about what you didn’t achieve this year catches up and swirls non-stop in your mind. Know there is help for you, and you don’t have to keep feeling this way.
One of the best gifts you can give yourself is working with a licensed therapist or coach to help you understand your thoughts and feelings and resolve the painful memories that keep you stuck. It’s also an excellent gift for the person who is feeling relatively balanced and is keen on keeping it that way, or who wants to improve an area of their life like their performance or leadership. If you’re ready to feel happy and confident so you can thrive in all areas of your life in 2022, allow me to show you how. Head to www.rozannawyatt.com to learn more, and book a complimentary call.
Rozanna Wyatt, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Rozanna Wyatt is a Licensed Therapist and highly sought Global Coach who specializes in helping ambitious, high-achieving women confidently go after what they want in business and life. Drawing from her sixteen years of experience working those who have done the unimaginable (we're talking murder), entrepreneurs, athletes, professionals and corporate leaders, she enables her clients to experience mindset breakthroughs that allow them to turn their lives around, resolve years of emotional pain, be happy, 10x their business, win national awards, and more. Rozanna has a master’s degree in social work, as well as specialized training in leadership and high performance.
Rozanna’s expertise has been featured in the media in Forbes, Addicted2Succcess, Thrive Global, and Authority Magazine. When she’s not keeping up on the latest research around positive psychology and human behavior, you can find her playing with her furbaby or sipping vanilla lattes in her favorite coffee shops in Canada.
