Practicing Self Care During the Holidays

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Julie Apold

"Tis the season to be jolly" – but this can be easier said than done.  While the holidays bring many joys, they can also add extra stress.

Experts point to two exercises that are highlighted in Self Care for Safe Care to help us successfully navigate the holidays:

1. 3 Good Things: Train your mind to see the good in everything. Set your intentions to enjoy the holidays as much as possible. Pay attention to the uplifting moments during the holidays.  This primes your brain to be ready for positive experiences and spur a positive cycle of happiness.
2. Random Acts of Kindness: Practice generosity. Whenever you feel the impulse to be generous, act on it. Notice how good it feels inside when you see someone happy because of your sincere generosity.  This can be as simple as holding the door for someone while out holiday shopping or sending a message to a friend going through the holidays alone.

Happiness is contagious; pass it on!  Research shows that if you are happy, you increase the odds those around you are happy, too.

Visit the Self Care for Safe Care site to find all the resources and tools for bringing 3 Good Things to your community in November and December. This is the second of six Self Care for Safe Care activities designed to build our resilience and increase our sense of happiness and well-being. 

For more information on Self Care for Safe Care or our other resiliency and mental health support resources, reach out to Jenna Kellerman or Julie Apold.