10 anxiety relief tips for the holidays

How are you feeling these days?

Are you sensitive to this winter solstice and the upcoming holiday season? I am!
It is normal that we suffer from symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or “winter depression”, and no matter if you spend the upcoming holidays with your loved ones or alone, these days can be emotionally challenging as feelings of sadness, guilt, or grief can arise.

I hear and feel you. I have been needing a lot of time for myself lately to cleanse from collective trauma, and to recharge my batteries in a mindful way. In this year’s holiday season, it is even more important to refill our energy cups and balance our challenged mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves.

HERE ARE 10 MIND & BODY-FULL TIPS TO RELIEVE ANXIETY and REGULATE YOURSELF IN MOMENTS OF WORRY, DESPAIR, OR OVERWHELM:

♥︎ GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO DEDICATE A QUALITY MOMENT TO YOURSELF AND CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR YOURSELF

♥︎ COMMUNICATE THIS NEED TO YOUR LOVED ONES

♥︎ BREATH SLOWLY and DEEPLY: INHALE LOVE AND COMPASSION, EXHALE JUDGEMENT AND WORRY

♥︎ RELEASE TENSION IN YOUR BODY: What sensations are arising, attend to any tension with warmth and breathe spaciousness into that area

♥︎ REMOVE JUDGMENT FROM YOUR WORRIES and try to let them PASS BY LIKE CLOUDS IN THE SKY

♥︎ EXTERNALIZE YOUR FEELINGS THROUGH CREATIVE ARTWORK, WRITING, or DANCING, body movement

♥︎ INSPIRE ALL OF YOUR SENSES through music, soundscapes, nature walks, intuitive cooking, …

♥︎ BE COMPASSIONATE: Know that every loved one brings their own trauma, story, and daily mood to the table—as do you!

♥︎ CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF HOW MUCH ENERGY and CAPACITY YOU ARE WILLING TO GIFT

♥︎ KNOW YOU HAVE CHOICE AND CONTROL over HOW MUCH you ENGAGE with OTHERS:

Please take good care of yourself this holiday season and create enough quality space for yourself to recharge from family and social engagements!

I’m sending you love and light and a warm embrace!
You are not alone!

♥︎ Warmly, Sun Mee.