Tips for Managing Your Emotions About the Holidays

Many people experience mixed emotions during the holiday season. In addition to joy, the holidays can also bring stress, depression, and anxiety. For some, it is the most wonderful time of year. It may also bring sadness and misery to others. It may be exciting to see old friends or family members, or it may bring up disappointments. 

There are a number of stressors associated with the holiday season, including crowds while shopping and running errands, social obligations, and houseguests. In addition, 40% of U.S. adults suffer from mental health or substance use challenges, making a difficult time of year even more challenging¹.

Additionally, during the holidays, many people also feel alone and isolated. As a result of seasonal affective disorder, people tend to have more negative thoughts, and, perhaps most importantly, their emotional health concerns do not disappear just because it's the holidays. 

During the holidays, you're probably under pressure to put on a happy face and keep your spirits high. This can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression. However, it's okay to feel different emotions during the holidays. Thankfully, there are some tips you can use to stay prepared for the upcoming challenges. 

Here are some tips for managing your emotions about the holidays. 

1.   Be Realistic About Your Expectations.

It is easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed by the holiday season. Media outlets are filled with tips for decorating, hosting celebrations, preparing lavish meals, and giving presents. Advertisements depict happy family gatherings. Observing these images, it's easy to feel that you've failed since it appears that everyone else has a great holiday. However, the accurate picture is often distorted by such images. 

Researchers report that holidays rarely meet people's expectations—for better or for worse. Researchers in numerous related studies interviewed participants before and after a holiday. In the first interview, people were generally asked how they thought they would feel during a holiday; in the second interview, people were asked how they felt during the holiday. Many studies have shown that those who expected to feel great actually felt a bit down. Those who anticipated feeling miserable did not feel so bad.

2.   Feel What You Feel. 

The sadness and grief that you may feel after losing a loved one or being unable to be with them for other reasons are natural. Don't be afraid to cry and show your feelings. Just because it's the holiday season doesn't mean you have to be cheerful.

3.   Reach Out to Others. 

If you are feeling lonely or isolated, join a social event or community. There may be many websites, online support groups, social media sites, and virtual events available. These can be sources of support and companionship. Moreover, when you feel stressed during the holidays, talking to a friend or family member may be beneficial. Try contacting them by text, phone, or video chat.

You can also lift your spirits and broaden your horizons by volunteering your time or doing something to help others. Consider delivering a meal and dessert to someone during the holidays.

4.   Maintain Healthy Lifestyle.

One of your best defenses against holiday stress will be maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You must get enough sleep, eat well - including at holiday parties - and stay physically active. You should also maintain your daily routine, whether it's workouts, book club, or self-care time. Rather than letting holidays disrupt your life, incorporate holiday obligations into your everyday routine.

The following suggestions may be helpful:

·        Make Sure You Eat Healthy Meals.

Being well-nourished is not the same as being well-fed. To improve your health during the holidays, you should eliminate processed junk foods from your diet and substitute them with a diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins. What's more, before holiday meals, eat a healthy snack to prevent you from overindulging in sweets, cheese, or drinks.

·        Meditation, Yoga, And Deep Breathing Are All Good Ways to Relax.

Living in the present is what "being mindful" is all about. This can be beneficial in coping with anxiety. Furthermore, it's easy. Take five to fifteen minutes to relax, close your eyes, and focus on how your breath flows in and out. Walk your mind through your body, noting how everything feels, from your feet to your head. Keeping your mind focused on being mindful will keep other thoughts from popping into your head. Also, prior to going to bed, you can do your favorite yoga stretches to calm your mind and body. 

·        Reduce Your Stress by H.E.A.L.'s Stress Reliever Kit.

Taking a warm bath would be the best idea when you are feeling stressed and want to relax. Get a bath or soak your feet with ŐSI Magnesium Bath Flakes. Magnesium is an important nutrient for the body, so bath flakes are a relaxing way to increase your magnesium levels. In your water, add a few drops of the Relaxation Essential Oil Blend from H.E.A.L. It works on the principles of aromatherapy to help you relax and relieve stress. 

If you have sore or achy muscles, spray Magnesium Oil on the affected areas and massage gently while soaking. After you have dried off, apply the ŐSI Magnesium Body Butter liberally while gently massaging it into your skin. It helps moisturize your skin while relaxing your body too. H.E.A.L.'s Stress Reliever Kit is the best thing that can relax your mind and body at the same time. 

·        Take A Good Night's Sleep.

A good night's rest and the feeling of waking up energetically are two of many things that we hope for but going to bed at the right time can be difficult. Women are more likely to suffer from insomnia than men. What's more, lack of sleep can negatively affect your physical, mental, and social health².

When you keep track of your sleep-wake cycle; you will be able to keep a more regular sleep schedule by getting into sync with the body's natural sleep schedule. One secret to happiness and energy during the holidays is to give yourself a bedtime.

For better sleep quality, use natural sleep aids. Bodytox Lavender Sleep Patches provide the perfect solution for anyone suffering from irregular sleeping patterns. It promotes relaxation to the mind and body and helps release stress and alleviates the nerves.

·        Regularly Engage in Physical Activity.

It's well known that exercise is helpful for us, but do we understand why? In addition to helping you lose weight, daily exercise can also boost your mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce stress. You can work out almost anywhere and at any time. You don't have to go to the gym and don't need to schedule it. It takes only a few minutes each day. Each activity counts. You can adopt any activity that may excite you and is more convenient for your daily schedule³.

5.   Don't Do More.

Even the most pragmatist can sometimes be tempted to overcommit during the holidays. Make sure you are fair to yourself when looking at your schedule or to-do list. Let go of unnecessary demands on your time and choose the priorities that matter most to you. The same applies to traditions. Traditions can change over time, and you are free to create new traditions to suit your family's or friends' evolving lifestyle. If a ritual cause too much stress, consider creating a new one.

6.   Put Differences Aside. 

If your family and friends fail to live up to your expectations, accept them as they are. Put grievances on hold until a better time. Similarly, be understanding if something goes awry and others get upset. Likely, they are also experiencing holiday stress and depression.

7.   Set A Budget. 

Plan how much money you will have to spend on gifts and food before you begin shopping. Set a budget and stick to it. Do not try to buy happiness by giving away tons of gifts.

You can also try:

• Make your own gifts.
• Exchange gifts with your family.
• Make a donation in someone's name to a charity.

8.   Make Sure You Plan Ahead. 

Schedule specific days for activities such as shopping, baking, and connecting with friends. Think about whether you can shop online. Determine your shopping list and menu for the week. Thus, you won't have to scramble to buy forgotten ingredients at the last minute. Get help preparing and cleaning up after meals.

9.   Say No When You Need To. 

It is often resentful and challenging to deal with overwhelming situations when you say yes when you should say no. If you cannot take part in all activities, your friends and colleagues will understand. In the event that you can't refuse your boss when he asks you to work overtime, try to leave something else on your schedule to compensate.

10.        Schedule Time for Self-Care.

Maintaining your overall health by taking care of your mental, physical and emotional needs is known as self-care. With more time to spend at home, it may be easier to put self-care aside for other priorities. In order to maintain healthy habits, reduce stress, and be happy, it is important to set aside time for yourself. The act of self-care can be as simple as taking a hot bath or shower or as complex as exercising to your favorite music. If you make a point of scheduling time for self-care, the more likely you will thrive, grow and enjoy your life. Using H.E.A.L.'s Self Care Kit, you will get ultimate relaxation and better health.

11.        Enjoy At-Home Spa with H.E.A.L.'s Lavender Spa Kit.

Enjoying your favorite spa treatments is easy without leaving the comfort of your own home. The best way to relieve stress and care for your skin during the holidays is to treat yourself to a at-home spa day. Several treatment options can easily be prepared at home with minimal effort. I recommend you to grab your H.E.A.L.'s Lavender Spa Kit to make your at-home spa more relaxing and enjoyable. With your partner or alone, a spa at home is the ultimate pleasure for your entire body. Additionally, it relaxes your mind and soul. 

12.        Be Aware of Your Moods.

In order to avoid the "holiday blues," it is important to pay attention to how you feel. During the holiday season, it's tempting to forget about yourself. Remember to stay in touch with how you feel. The more you practice mindfulness, journal, or rate how you feel every day, better you will understand your emotions. Focus on what brings you joy and include it in your daily life. Also, remember that it's okay to feel bad, and you aren't alone.

13.        Go for A Walk.

When your schedule seems full, winter walks are a great way to exercise while soaking up the sunshine, which boosts your serotonin levels and helps combat the seasonal affective disorder. Moreover, walking has a calming and sleep-enhancing effect due to its rhythm and repetition.

14.        Reduce Holiday Stress and Depression with H.E.A.L.'s Good Vibes CBD Kit.

Soak in a hot bath using H.E.A.L.'s Good Vibes CBD Kit while relaxing both your mind and body. The H.E.A.L.'s Good Vibes CBD Kit includes:

• OSI Magnesium Bath Flakes
• OSI Magnesium Oil
• OSI Magnesium CBD Cream 

Magnesium chloride is the main component of OSI Magnesium Bath Flakes. Chloride electrolytes are essential to several body functions. It regulates cell fluid within and around cells. It boosts skin hydration and helps maintain pH levels, blood pressure, and blood volume for proper nutrient absorption in the body.  

Spray Magnesium Oil directly on an aching muscle and massage the area gently while soaking. Apply OSI Magnesium CBD Cream liberally after drying and gently massage it into your skin. Enjoy the rest of your evening as you relax during the holidays or any moment of stress.

Magnesium is an essential mineral for your skin and body. While CBD has shown promising results for treating anxiety and depression in various studies. The benefits of CBD are believed to be related to the fact that it works on the brain's serotonin receptors, a chemical that controls mood and behavior⁴.

The Bottom Line

Avoid making the holidays a source of anxiety. Taking precautions during the holidays will prevent stress and depression. Using the suggestions in this article, you can manage your emotions during the holidays. Planning and using positive thoughts can help you have a peaceful holiday season.