The winter season, and the festivities surrounding it, can be such a joyful time, but can also bring on a lot of additional stressors. Even without the additional challenges that the pandemic presents us with this year, the change of pace in the winter, and holidays for those who celebrate, can be an emotionally taxing time. Whether this time of year is something that you typically look forward to each year, or find yourself dreading, this year’s winter season is definitely looking a bit different.
Regardless of if you have plans to spend time safely with family members in person, or are keeping physical distance from others this year, these tips might be useful when navigating this year’s seasonal festivities.
1. Prioritize self-care. Time for self-care during this time can easily be put aside in order to get things done and take care of others. When we neglect our self-care, we might feel some negative repercussions after the fact. It’s important to remember that it’s OK to say “no” to activities that will take away from your self-care. Be intentional about setting aside time for your own self-care and participate in activities that you find soothing and rejuvenating.
2. Make an escape plan. Whether you plan to spend time safely with family members in person, or have scheduled virtual activities to celebrate the season, a plan to get away and take a break from all the festivities and commotion can be vital during some of the more stressful moments. Knowing that you have a plan to set aside time for yourself and take a break can do a lot for reducing anxiety.
3. Embrace that it’s OK that this year is different. Begin to think about what new traditions you can start this year, and ways that you could connect with others in a way that is safe. This pandemic has allowed us to discover that we are so resilient in our capacity to think up new things to do and exciting opportunities we can make for ourselves to stay connected, while keeping safety in mind. When embracing winter activities, it’s OK to do things a bit differently this year.
4. Set your boundaries. As you approach this season, it is important to check in with yourself regularly to determine what types of festivities you are OK with, and not OK with, this year. When you set boundaries, and stick to them, you will be able to have a clear sense of whether you want to say “yes” or “no” to invitations, requests or expectations coming from others.
5. Reach out for support when needed. Although it can be very tempting to want to tackle this season alone, the support of others is necessary at times. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your loved ones to let them know how you are feeling, and how they can support you. If you’d like to reach someone for professional help, please don’t hesitate to contact Optimae LifeServices by clicking here for the contact information for your local service provider.