THRIVING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

December 2, 2019

by Pam Forducey, PhD, ABRP

The holidays can elicit a mixed bag of emotions for many of us. On the one hand, we can have feelings of excitement and joy. On the other, there can be worry, sadness and guilt. Many of us approach the holidays with a positive outlook but somewhere along the way we get off track. Before we know it, we are stressed and the idea of having a joyful, relaxing time with loved ones is the furthest thing from our minds.

Five Areas of Wellness to Promote THRIVING

Identify what you are doing to take care of your whole self (mind/body/spirit) using the below five areas of wellness. Which areas are you nourishing and which areas might you be neglecting? Examples are included for each area of wellness to help you get started. After this exercise, pick one or two areas that you need to improve and identify activities that can foster growth in this area. For accountability, ask a significant other or close friend to help you follow through with your goals for the identified area of wellness. Try to stick to your plan(s) for at least 30 days to try your best to make it a lifestyle habit and to carry over to the new year!

Physical (Taking care of your body/physical health)
Example: Plan Time for Exercise – Exercise is a great holiday de-stressor, preventative to weight gain & means to elevate your energy levels and enhance your mood! Try 15-30 minute brisk walk a day.
Intellectual/Mental (Focusing on stimulating your brain/thinking skills/intellect)
Example: Find a book you have been wanting to read. If you don’t like reading but want to learn more about a topic of interest, download Audible and listen to the book online.
Social (Interacting with family, friends, co-workers vs. isolating from others)
Example: Reach out to friends, co-workers and let them know what you appreciate about them. Send them a note of gratitude or make that phone call that you have been putting off. Another example to nurture the social self is to consider volunteering your time and talent to a local non-profit organization.
Emotional (Addressing your feelings and emotions throughout the day. Note that emotions are neither negative nor positive. Just acknowledge them.)
Example: Journal your emotions. Research has shown that journaling is good for your emotional health. Thinking (out of your head) to Inking (on to the paper)! Try it! If there is significant heaviness of heart, consider seeking professional counseling.
Spiritual (Spending time in prayer, having a daily quiet time or fellowshipping with others of your faith)
Example: Have a daily time of quietness to reflect on your day, no judgment but process and accept the day as it is. Read a daily devotional like Jesus Calling by Sarah Young or The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie.