News

The holiday season is fast approaching. Holiday music can already be heard over store loudspeakers and twinkling lights are appearing along town centers. The holidays can be a wonderful time for connection and celebration with loved ones. For many, the holidays also signify a challenging time of stress, grief and loss. When a season symbolizes “togetherness”, “love,” “celebration,” “good cheer,” it can be difficult to match up reality with expectation. We can layer all sorts of “shoulds” and “I wish-es” onto the present situation making our challenges even greater. However, we can also use our challenging time to practice being gentle with ourselves and providing self-care. Here are some ideas of how to work with the “Holiday Blues.”

• Let Go of Expectation: Notice when you are trying to live up to an image of how things should be in your mind. Let go of the image and give yourself permission to do things differently.

• Do Less: Maybe the decorations are smaller this year or there aren’t any at all. Or perhaps you go out to eat instead of cooking. Or maybe you decide to go to a movie or snuggle on the couch instead of the usual celebration.

• Choose Traditions: Maybe this year you start a new tradition in your family or for yourself. Or perhaps you choose to continue a special tradition as a way or memorializing a loved one and working through your grief. Whatever you decide, know that you get to choose how you wish to celebrate and these traditions evolve as time goes by, and that is okay.

• Take Care of Your Body: Make it a point to check in with yourself about basic self-care. Am I getting enough rest? Do I need a bath? How is my nutrition? Perhaps I am eating too much sugar or drinking too much alcohol? This season is a time for excess; it can also be a time to re-evaluate what makes you feel healthy.

• Honor Your Grief: Perhaps you can make an ornament to memorialize a loved one or work through your current feelings? Maybe connect with the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice Bereavement Services and make it a point to attend one of the UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice’s grief support groups? Whatever you decide, remember to give yourself lots of room to attend to your grief and feel into whatever is present for you during this time.

It can be challenging to see beyond the “Holiday Blues” and “just getting through the holidays” is a mission for most. Know that you are not alone in the challenges ahead; many people struggle during this stressful time. With a few self-care intentions, this season can also be a time to re-connect with your needs and bring some gentleness to your experience. May you have a gentle holiday season.