Reconnecting with Loved Ones this Holiday Season

There is a lot said and written about stress during the holiday season but I believe that the stress pales in comparison to all the joy you can experience in this time of the year. There isn’t single day in our life where we can say that everything was perfect and exactly how we wished for so expecting a few weeks of perfection is simply unrealistic. That being said, here are four ways you can make the most of the holiday season:

1. Gifts matter but only to a certain extent.
Gift giving is a beautiful tradition and it’s symbolic of the love you have for your family and friends. In some ways though, this tradition has become an obsession for many. You should gift giving as being secondary to the way you make your loved ones feel. In other words, expressing love can find many forms and giving gifts should be only one of the ways. For gifts, the more personalized they are the better. I recently wrote a blog post about gift giving, check it out here.

2. Incorporate healthy habits into the holidays.
Whether it’s healthy eating habits or a new exercise regime, it’s important to make an effort in the holidays to stay healthy despite the high-caloric food we may eat or the hours we may spend at home being more or less inactive. A lot of people find it acceptable to put their diet and exercise on hold so they can have a more laid-back time on their days off. This can create issues with your stamina and your ability to stay on track when it comes to the intensity of your workouts.

3. Set expectations.
If you think the holidays are going to be all about fun and relaxation, think again. Studies suggest that this is a period with one of the highest rates of stress, anxiety and depression. One may wonder why that is so. To expect that meeting your extended family members and spending more time at home than at work or school is going to bring you pure joy is being unrealistic. Meeting your loved ones after a long time can mean having to deal with past complications and unresolved issues. Being away from work can break your routine which can be challenging for a lot of people. The key is patience. Make an effort to be kind towards those who are coping with mental issues and that includes yourself! Oftentimes we hold ourselves to high standards and push ourselves to achieve goals that the society expects of us. Learn to love yourself, allow the space for mistakes and failures and be gentle with your spirit lest it breaks under self-inflicted pressure.

4. Start a tradition.
A tradition is defined as “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.” Such customs help create unity in the family and its practice can ensue a sense of joy and belonging. The tradition doesn’t have to be out of this world, it can be something as simple as taking a family photograph for which everyone dresses up. The simpler the better!

I hope you enjoy your holidays this year and take the opportunity to build a deeper and more loving relationships with those around you!

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