3 Mindfulness Practices to Calm Holiday Stress

It’s getting to be that time of year again where the holidays are right around the corner and before you know it, they will be here once again. While this is often a happy time to give gifts, spend time with family, and reflect on the year that has passed by, it can often be a time where one finds themselves in need of anxiety therapy due to the stress of the season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three mindfulness practices you can use to stay calm during the holidays and avoid stress.

Allow Yourself to Feel During the Holidays

The holidays tend to bring up all kinds of emotions in people, which can include negative and positive experiences. Allowing yourself to actually take inventory of your emotions, and ask yourself why you feel the way you do, will allow for a significant relief of stress during the holidays. If this is something you struggle with, you may want to consider attending counseling services, as these are precisely the kinds of issues that counseling is built to address.

Old Habits and Patterns Will Prevent New Growth

It can be very tempting, due to the ritualized nature of the holiday season, to fall into old habits and routines. While this is, not inherently a bad thing, the habits and patterns you are partaking in could be based in or lead to negative behaviors. A classic example of this relates to discussions centered around politics, so let’s examine that for a moment. If you already know one or several other members of your family share different political views and always end up debating about them during this time of year, simply tell them that you would rather not discuss the topic and focus on enjoying one another’s company instead.  For help breaking out of old patterns, it may be a good idea to see a mental health counselor.

Remember to Continually Practice Self-Care

While this is something everyone should actually practice all year round, it is even more important to do so during the holiday season, as its fast pace and numerous social commitments can make everyone feel more than just a little bit tired. It is even more essential than ever to make a regular sleep schedule and stick with it, get plenty of exercise and take time to do things that make you happy. Keeping yourself refreshed means you will be more present in the moment and able to enjoy the company of your family and friends.

If you are in need of counseling services from a qualified mental health counselor, look no further than the caring and compassionate team at Smith Psychotherapy Associates. We proudly serve clients in the greater Chicago area. You can contact us at our website to schedule an appointment today.