5 Ways to Cope with Tough Times Around the Holidays

 Around the Holidays, Christmas Season, or New Years there is a thing called Seasonal Blues. Many including myself have experienced this a few times before. It's better to know as Seasonal Blues and we need to know ways to cope with it?

What is Seasonal Blues?

Seasonal Blues are when the time gets darker a year. When you get depressed and/ or are anxious about family coming over and seeing family again for the Holiday's. Also, worrying about your value and if you measure up to your family. Or going to those Holiday Parties at work that you don't want to go to because you are going to see coworkers there that you try to avoid all year round. 

So how do you deal with this when you just don't want to put up with family, coworkers, etc. I mean some people you want to be around, but some people you don't, so how do you get yourself in the spirit of things?

1. Spend Time with Those You Care About

Everybody wants to be around for the Holidays, but you can't spend time with everyone. So cut out all the others you don't want to spend time with and focus on those you care about and want to spend time with. Go for Coffee or something. Get to spend time with those you usually don't spend time with and make the most of it. Maybe your friend has had a bad year, or you have had a bad year. They can help you laugh and make the best of a bad situation.

2. Set Boundaries with Gifts

I agree getting gifts for others is important, but when you are getting this person's brother's cousin or that cousin that pops around every year around this time of year when they want a gift or your long-lost brother that you never knew that just popped out the blue, you know what I'm talking about. Set Boundaries. You can't get everyone, and you just want to get who is important to you. If they are disappointed, they will get over it when they don't get a gift. Boundary setting is important. When you set healthy boundaries, you aren't going to curse their name every time you give them a gift. 

3. Appreciate What You Get

Some people put a lot of thought into your gift and some people just don't have it. This time can be rough for many and they try their best. Be grateful for what you receive. And I know some gift might not be what you wanted but show your appreciation anyway. And I know there is anxiety saying that it is the wrong gift. Don't feel bad for hurting their feelings you are being honest. Just break it to them gentally not be harsh they put thought in it and want it to be perfect to. They are under pressure like you. They would want you to have the best experience with a gift anyway. 

4. Don't Worry If You are Not Feeling It

Don't worry if you aren't feeling the season. I know there is pressure in the season, and some don't agree with you being a Scrooge or a Grinch, but don't worry about it, focus on you making you happy. You rather be happy about life and feeling worth, rather than not feeling that good about life. If you are happy that's all that matters. I know we all want to be people pleasers, but it's difficult to please everyone, but please those who specially mean something to you. That's what counts.

5. Take Some Time Off and Plan Projects for Next Year

Maybe this year hasn't worked out for you or maybe it has but either way, take time to plan out what you are going to do for the New Year. Not New Years Resolutions, but reasonable goals. Make that plan out. It is something that you can be excited about. Maybe your finances are on the fritz, or you want to make a couple goal if in a relationship or maybe if you are single you want to come up with a way to enter a new relationship. Set goals, Visualize, plan it out. 

Having a Visual Plan of what you want to happen for the New Year is a good way to map out a new beginning for you. For example, maybe you are running low on money, maybe a simple goal is to put $2 a side every week can help. Or if you are a writer, writing one page every day for 5 days a week and Chipping away at it will help. 

This is like The Compound Effect; you can do a little here and there and it grows. This is the same with Podcasting to. Take Charge of your life and let it grow. Then by this time next year you will have some development to show for it and you can look at it and feel good about yourself no matter what people say. 

Final Ideas for Holiday Preparation

Tis the Season Again. I know that things may not be easy, but a few simple steps can help. Whoever you are we have to cope with the season ending and the rush of it all. We have to make the best of the season and some of us have to get through it. Just focus on this big picture. In focusing on the big picture, we can work towards an even greater goal. So, get prepared for the Season and the New Years. And set those goals for next year. 

Here is a podcast that I did on Depression Improving Your Mental Health on Depression Podcast by Joseph Evaldi

For more podcasts on Improving Your Mental Health Season 1 You can find that on Gumroad over at this link  jevaldi79.gumroad.com/l/improvingyourmentalhealthseason1.

Check out more Improving Your Health episodes on https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/improving-your-mental-health--3187669

This Article was written by Joseph Evaldi, He can be found on X at https://www.x.com/wevaldi