Beyond Coping - How to Thrive this Holiday Season

There is no right or wrong way to handle the holiday season.

 One of our biggest down falls of the holiday season - thinking we have to be a certain way.

We're so over stimulated with images of the perfect home, the perfect tree, and mostly - the perfect families.

Happy couples, children laughing, grandparents hugging their grandchildren after delivering a multitude of perfectly wrapped presents under the tree, snow falling and a big beautiful fire in the fireplace...

How many people really experience a holiday like that?

Don't get me wrong - I think it's wonderful when families are together and happy - but many of us don't often experience that.

Most of us have something that we're taught is "broken"...

A relationship (or two) that's strained, problems with the in laws, broken relationships, death of a loved one, kids caught between households, money issues, lost jobs, addiction in a family member(s), and more.

The list is never ending - why?

Because we are human beings!

It's a fact that as we live our lives, we're going to have things come up that are "difficult" to deal with. Even over the holidays (sometimes, especially over the holidays).

It's imperative that we learn to be kind to ourselves and allow ourselves to grieve, to be angry, to be sad or lonely. It's all OK. And it will pass, if you allow it to be.

With that, here are a few ideas to mix it up this holiday season. Have some fun - take your mind off of your misery, and break through difficult times.

Focus your celebrations on winter: go to a mountain lodge; go sledding or skiing, or just take a walk in the woods--take time out to enjoy what nature has to offer in this season.

If you're grieving the loss of a loved one: "include" that person in your conversations and celebrations. Perhaps you can hang a stocking for your loved one and ask people to put notes with their thoughts or feelings.

Once others realize that you're comfortable talking about your loved one, they can relate stories that will add to your pleasant memories.

Plan to be with the people YOU enjoy.

Take a nap, stay well rested and eat healthy.

Do something for others:

• volunteer at a soup kitchen
• visit the lonely and shut-ins
• deliver meals on wheels
• ask someone who is alone to share the day with your family
• provide help for a needy family
• volunteer at the airport to pour coffee for stranded travelers
• offer to volunteer in a hospital on the holiday
• volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House

Don't be afraid to express your feelings.

Allow people to comfort you. They need to feel they are helping in some way.

Remember, anticipation of any holiday is so much worse than the actual holiday.

I'm available to help you get through the holidays. Don't wait until you're miserable!

Contact me and we'll get you on the right path.