
6 Tips to Self-Care Over the Season!
UPDATE: Colleen contributed to the article Strategies to Manage Your Well-being During the Holiday Season—or in General by Brittney-Nichole Connor-Savarda for Emotional Intelligence Magazine.
The holiday season is upon us, bringing plenty of stress, pressure, and chaos. As we navigate the busyness of the season, it’s important to remember that there are ways to make our lives easier while still being mindful of those around us. Here are some tips to keep in mind during the holiday season:
1. Show kindness to yourself
Focus on self-care if you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious about the upcoming holiday season. Take a break from work, spend quality time with loved ones, or do something fun, like attending a yoga retreat or pampering yourself with a massage. If you feel like you’re struggling to maintain balance throughout the week, consider scheduling one night per week where you don’t check your email or respond to texts. You’ll likely notice how much better you feel once you’ve taken care of yourself.
2. Focus on what you can control
It may be tempting to try to do everything at once this holiday season, but if you have too many things going on, you won’t be able to enjoy any of them. Instead, choose one thing to focus on daily, such as wrapping gifts, preparing for family gatherings, or decorating the house. Focusing on just one task will make you more productive and less likely to get distracted by other tasks.
3. Prioritize time with friends and family
Connecting with friends and family during the holiday season is one of the most enjoyable times of the holidays. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the activities around you, prioritize time with people who bring joy to your life. Spend time with your children, parents, siblings, grandparents, nieces/nephews, and close friends. Make sure they know how special they are to you, and tell them how much you appreciate their support.
4. Snuggle up with your pets
Pets provide unconditional love. They don’t require anything from you except for your attention. They’re always there when you need them and can help you relax and unwind, slowing you down so you can enjoy the holiday season. Spend time baking homemade treats for your furry friend, make or shop for a cute holiday outfit, or sit with your pet and play with them. Your mental well-being will benefit from doing this exercise regularly, and your pets will appreciate it too!
5. Learn to say “No!”
The holiday season brings countless opportunities to celebrate with family, friends, coworkers, or strangers. But while you might want to enjoy every moment of the festivities, keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed by too many obligations. Instead, set boundaries for yourself. For example, if you decide to attend an event, ask yourself if you want to go. If not, then politely decline. Also, remember that saying “no” doesn’t mean you’re insensitive, rude, or ungrateful. Saying no is a sign of self-care. And you, too, deserve to spend the holiday how you want: relaxed, happy, and stress-free.
6. Give back
Volunteering in your community is a great way to give back to others and relieve some stress associated with the holiday season. Consider volunteering at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, food bank, or homeless shelter. Or, if you’d prefer, volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, or hospice center. The people you contact during the holiday will be grateful for your presence.
Get Support From A New Heights Mental Health Counselor
Do you feel like you cannot cope with life’s challenges and pressures from the holidays? If so, then it is time for a change. You deserve better than what you are currently experiencing in your life. It is time to get help. The holidays can be difficult for many people. They may experience stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. If this sounds familiar, then you need to seek professional help.
New Heights counselors are mental health professionals specifically trained to help individuals who struggle with the stresses of life. These professionals have been specially trained to provide counseling services to help you overcome these problems. They understand how to deal with the holiday season and how to help you through any difficulties that arise during this time. If you want more information about our counseling services, please call us today at 850-757-1552.
Appointment Schedule (Last appointment – 4 PM)
Sunday Closed
Monday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Evenings/Weekends by Appointment
Additional Resources:
- 12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Five Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health This Holiday Season, Mental Health First Aid
- Welcome Video New Heights Counseling Founder & Clinical Director Colleen Wenner
About the Author:
Colleen Wenner is the founder and clinical director of New Heights Counseling, where she provides counseling services for individuals struggling with mental health issues. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Colleen is a certified supervisor in Florida and an EMDR trauma-certified practitioner and consultant in training. Colleen is committed to providing excellent client care and services the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Destin, and surrounding communities.
Colleen has consistently advocated for mental health wellness and has dedicated her entire life to promoting awareness among the public. She has been featured on various podcasts such as Practice of the Practice (The #1 Podcast for counselors in private practice), Shrink Think Podcast, and The Salty Christan Podcast, to name a few. She has also contributed to several Yahoo Best Life, Unfinished Man, UpJourney, and WebMD articles. Colleen uses compassionate and authentic communication to help clients understand themselves better and feel more confident about their ability to improve their lives.