Holiday Coping Ideas By Austin Halfpop, MS, LPC
Hey Herd! It's Austin, your friendly neighborhood therapist, here with some helpful tips to navigate the holiday season. While it's often a time for connection and quality moments with loved ones, it doesn't always go as planned. I’m here to share a few quick and simple tips to help you make the most of the season and manage any challenges that come your way.
First of all, take some time to recognize some emotions that you are feeling about the holidays in general:
Anxious
Overwhelmed
Sad
Guilty
Lonely
Angry
Hopeful
Numb
(Feel free to recognize/reflect any of these emotions, as well as adding others that you are feeling.)
Identifying Challenges
What specific challenges do you think you will face during the holidays?
Self-Care Plan
How can you take care of yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically during the holiday season?
List at least three self-care practices.
Setting Boundaries
What boundaries can you set to protect your emotional well-being?
I will say no to:
I will ask for help with:
I will take a break when:
Holiday Traditions: Keep, Change, or Let Go
Which traditions would you like to keep, change, or let go this year?
Keep:
Change:
Let go:
Honoring Your Loved One
How can you honor your loved one during the holidays?
Creating New Traditions
Is there a new tradition you would like to start that feels more aligned with where you are now?
Asking for Support
Who can you turn to for support if you are feeling overwhelmed during the holidays? List at least two people or resources.
Plan for Difficult Moments
If you are hit with a wave of grief or emotions during the holidays, what can you do in the moment to cope?
Gratitude and Reflection
Even in times of grief, finding moments of gratitude can be helpful. Write down one thing you are grateful for during this holiday season:
As I mentioned earlier, while the holiday season is an exciting and optimistic time, don’t hesitate to lean on these tips if you need them to navigate the season as smoothly as possible. Remember, you deserve to be the best version of yourself—never forget that!