Remember that they aren’t perfect and neither are you – so practicing patience and forgiveness for yourself and others is going to reframing holidays in early recovery go a long way in staying balanced and keeping spirits up. This one might be counterintuitive, but this is not about setting new, stretch goals. Stretch goals are awesome, but that’s not what this is about. Set yourself up for success, and find a version of your goals that you can easily achieve.
- The holidays are often accompanied by a long list of obligations, errands and events.
- What’s realistic and achievable, but will still help you feel like you’re looking after your needs?
- Journaling or talking to a friend can help you determine its source.
- You can complete this in one sitting or allow yourself time to plant your prompts and allow them to surface over a day or two.
- Putting money in a special savings account or envelope just for holiday expenses reduces the risk of going into debt.
Safe Addiction Resources for Black People
- Approaching different perspectives with open-mindedness can also help you navigate the emotions and reactions of kids as they continue to process and accept all of the change happening around them.
- Honest conversations can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, and your loved ones are more likely to respect your wishes if they understand your perspective.
- Her TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” is one of the most viewed talks of all time.
- It is also important to limit the number of goals we have at one time, so we do not get overwhelmed.
- On this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I share the biggest concerns our listeners have about the holidays this year and the top 10 things you can do to stay mentally strong this holiday season.
Planning is an essential element in time management, but we all occasionally struggle with resisting our own plans. We may struggle to follow through with activities due to a general lack of motivation or because the activity is no longer important to us. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Adult children feel torn between engaging in their own family’s traditions and their family-in-law’s rituals. Additionally, married couples often want to create their own family customs.
Types of Holiday Boundaries
Stress comes from unrealistic expectations, having too many gifts to buy in too short a time, crowded stores, family conflicts, financial worries, fears, or sadness about being alone. Even the weather—rainy, cloudy, cold days that turn dark too early—can literally put a damper on your life. Participating in a family mindfulness meditation or meditation for parents can be helpful for spending time together, checking in with yourselves, and strengthening your mind-body connection. Whether you’ve got 10 minutes or 45, taking the time to bring awareness to your emotions and any tension you’re holding onto can be an easy and helpful mindfulness practice for everyone. If you’re spending time with people who have the bad habit of undermining you (whether it’s intentional or not), plan ahead.
Ways to Stay Mentally Strong During the Holidays
Therefore, proper planning and communication are crucial to making the holidays the happiest time of the year for the whole family. With so much outside of our control, the changes that have come as a result of COVID-19 are not only frustrating for adults, but also for the kids in our lives. Rather than just telling children what’s happening as it’s happening, encourage open family conversation about what the holidays are going to mean for you this year. The pandemic has turned the schedules and routines of most families upside down this year, so it’s normal to not want to break the news that the holidays may also be different. But rather than putting the conversation off or trying to sugarcoat reality, it may be helpful for your family to discuss what they can expect during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and December holidays. With Halloween right around the corner and the holidays getting closer, it’s common for you and your family to start getting really excited for the upcoming festivities.
- It’s important for you to know when to say “enough” or “no.” Small, successful outings are much better than running yourself into the ground or over-extending yourself.
- There will always be factors that are beyond your control, but you don’t have to be a victim of the season.
- Routine helps you manage your time consistently and regulate your life without too much thought or effort.
- As you get better at managing your time, it may become challenging to plan and engage with someone without the same skills, but it is still possible.
- If you’re looking for ways to get involved during the holiday season, consider offering support to service members deployed in remote areas or dangerous locations.
- People who struggle with boundaries often feel guilty when they say no and hate to disappoint people.
- While the holidays are an excellent opportunity to look outward and appreciate the people in your life, don’t forget to appreciate yourself.
- But as retailers begin to launch limited-time deals, remember that there will be more discounts ahead.
- The holiday season can be a time of celebration but sometimes it can be stressful and overwhelming.
- We took time to consider what gifts we wanted, and the following boundary-design activity is somewhat like that.
- Make a list of specific gifts to get each person that fall within your limits.
Apps and browser tools such as Capital One Shopping or ShopSavvy can help you locate coupons and compare prices across retailers. According to recent data, approximately 21 million American adults are in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction (SAMHSA, 2021). Furthermore, there is an estimated 1,438,253 people in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA; a support group for those who desire to stop drinking) in the United States (AA, General Service Office, 2020). These data suggest that most people know someone who is abstaining from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, chemical addiction is more prevalent than many may think.
