Why do you need 10 ideas to chase the blues away during the holiday season? It’s a well-known fact that the holiday season bring on the blues. According to the National Mental Health Association, reasons for feeling blue during the holidays range from fatigue, financial limitations, to tensions in personal relationships.
As for me, I’m generally a happy person. I don’t dwell on things I can’t control. I have realistic expectations. I’ve learned over time and through experiences that trying to change people is futile. I’ve even come to appreciate some of my flaws.
One of my favorite mantras has helped me get to this point:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
But sometimes, melancholy finds me. Subconsciously, it creeps up seemingly out of nowhere, until I can no longer ignore it. Recently I experienced this. I had an intense couple of days of traveling to be with friend’s during their time of loss. During this time a sadness lingered. It was a sobering feeling that made me feel off-balance, not-quite-myself, and like I had lost my power.
But, I’ve learned not to let sadness take over my life or holiday season. I have had to use these skills several times in the past. It’s not easy to do at first, but, as always, a little effort goes a long way. Here are some ideas to chase the blues away during the holiday season:
- Let sadness in. It is essential to allow yourself you feel all your emotions. Cry it out. It’s cleansing, it brings a sense of relief, and it releases stress hormones that can cause severe damage to brain cells.
- Take time to pray or meditate. You could practice yoga or any solitary exercise. Retreat. Be at peace with silence and limit outside stimuli. Take a social media fast and instead, connect only in-person real-time with others.
- Share your meals. Break out a cookbook, invite a friend or two over, and make a meal from recipes you’ve never tried before.
- Remember and reach out. Recall a fond memory about someone. Contact that person and let them know you were thinking about them during this holiday season.
- Say hi to a stranger. I am usually traveling during the holiday season, so I take the time to talk to strangers I come across. Ask a safe and straightforward question and see where it leads. Be open to how easily others are willing to connect.
- Read for pleasure. Catch up on some books or your favorite blogs.
- Random acts of kindness. Perform an anonymous act of kindness. When I am in the drive-thru, I will pay for lunch for the two cars behind me.
- Watch some holiday movies. Last night I watched Home Alone and Home Alone 2 after getting home from work. It is okay to allow yourself a little veg time.
- Be a kid again. Do something silly. Let go of self-conscious feelings and be a big kid. Have a snow ball fight when it snows. Go to a holiday parade and enjoy the lights.
- Do something you wouldn’t normally do. Take yourself on a date to dinner and a movie. Taking a solo trip somewhere.
I hope these 10 ideas to chase the blues away during the holiday season are helpful for you!
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I absolutely love these ideas. All too often I find myself going through some of the things you mentioned. Thank you for being so transparent and teaching one how to cope.
Thank you so much for your kind words Misty. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. Do not forget to share the blog with someone because we never know who might be struggling this holiday season, as well.
Thanks for the ideas and info I had no idea suppressing stress or emotions could cause brain damage but it’s relatable I find that when I try to be strong for my kids or family and suppress my feelings I feel like I have brain fog. So great info “ I’ll cry if I want to.”
Hi Patience, thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. Yes! Please have that cry and let your feelings out.
Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was a great love.” ~Unknown
They say grief is like waves, and I honestly couldn’t explain it any more eloquently than that. As a professional beach-goer, the thing I can tell you about waves is that they have two extremes; if you work with the waves, they are flowing and forgiving; if you fight against them, they will pull you under to the depths. This is how you move with grace through grief. The fight creates a deep abyss of suffering; the flow creates a space for forgiveness. I’m not saying there won’t be a pain; there will be intense pain to endure on your journey of grief. On the other side of that pain is forgiving and peace. I like to think our missing pieces are sending to us. Allow yourself to feel every emotion (anger, sadness, and happiness)sometimes all in one day when you allow yourself time and space to handle all of your feelings. That is when you find your strength. Strength hides in the depth of every emotion. Tap into each flow.
Do not forget to share the blog with someone because we never know who might be struggling this holiday season, as well.
I truly needed this today of all days. When you have lost someone so close to you and never had the opportunity to grieve; I never took the time to just have a good cry. Thank you for these tips. I so miss my Dad, Rev. Dwayne Hill😭
Tina, thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. I am so grateful that it was exactly what you needed to hear.
Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was a great love.” ~Unknown
They say grief is like waves, and I honestly couldn’t explain it any more eloquently than that. As a professional beach-goer, the thing I can tell you about waves is that they have two extremes; if you work with the waves, they are flowing and forgiving; if you fight against them, they will pull you under to the depths. This is how you move with grace through grief. The fight creates a deep abyss of suffering; the flow creates a space for forgiveness. I’m not saying there won’t be a pain; there will be intense pain to endure on your journey of grief. On the other side of that pain is forgiving and peace. I like to think our missing pieces are sending to us. Allow yourself to feel every emotion (anger, sadness, and happiness)sometimes all in one day when you allow yourself time and space to handle all of your feelings. That is when you find your strength. Strength hides in the depth of every emotion. Tap into each flow.
Do not forget to share the blog with someone because we never know who might be struggling this holiday season, as well.