Does spending the holidays alone fill you with dread? Thinking of all your friends happily snuggled up in front of the fire with their loved ones? If hitting the holiday season is leaving you feeling more like the Grinch than a cheery Santa filled with festive joy, here are some simple steps to help you get through the season:
Gratitude
It’s really easy to forget all the good things that are happening in our life that we can be grateful for, so take some time to reflect on the small but significant things in your life that are going well. Perhaps you have a beautiful apartment to come home to every day, perhaps you can be grateful for the wonderful friends or family you have as your support network around you. Even small things such as being grateful for being able to buy groceries or the Netflix account you have are helpful to acknowledge.
Ride the wave
Remember that the holiday season only lasts a short amount of time and when it is over life will go back to normal, so if you feel a bit low just remind yourself it won’t last forever, you just have to ride the wave and it will pass. However, try not to get into the mindset of counting down the days until the season is over but rejoice in having time off to enjoy doing things that you don’t normally get to do such as getting on top of some much-needed admin or having the time to enjoy picking up a good book.
Here are three more simple ideas of things that you can do to help improve your mood:
Do a random act of kindness
An easy way to feel better and improve your mood when you feel flat is to build connections with other people, so help yourself out by helping a neighbour or a friend – offer to take someone’s trash out or randomly buy someone a cup of coffee or bunch of flowers to brighten their day. You will be amazed how much happier and more connected it will make you feel seeing them smile.
Treat yourself
Don’t forget to be kind to yourself too so book in something that makes you feel good whether that be a massage, getting your nails done, going for a delicious brunch with friends or going to your favourite art gallery. Feed the soul with art, friends and beauty. These acts of kindness to yourself and others sooth the nervous system and help move us away from the ‘fight or flight’ adrenalized state we can get into when we are stressed and towards the production of happy relaxing chemicals in your brain such as oxytocin.
Go on a date
Why wait – with time off work this holiday season this might be the perfect time to get dating. Get in touch with Maclynn International and our team of matchmakers are waiting to help assist you get out there and get dating!
