Self Care For The Holidays

If you are going through a divorce, the reality is that holidays can really suck. 

You find that all the traditions are changing or have gone away and the holiday moments you did actually enjoy, are no longer present. Likely too, there are unrealistic demands on you that feel impossible to handle. People are relying on you to show up. The thing is, you are already in a swirl of emotion, and holidays just seem to make that swirl so much harder to handle.

So, unless you can literally climb under a rock and pretend it’s not happening, my guess is this is a time when you are really struggling. 

Ok, so how do you get through it? A step at a time. And for now, it’s about taking small steps of self care, finding ways to not let the emotional swirl get in the way of being present at special times like these.

Here’s a reminder of 5 simple self care tips to help get you through the holidays. I’ve shared these before and they’re just as powerful at this holiday time:

1. When you feel that sense of overwhelm come on you, take some slow deep breaths. Find a comfortable seat and place your feet firmly on the ground. Pull your breath deep down into your belly without forcing it. Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathe IN gently and regularly - you might try counting steadily 1 to 5, then let it flow OUT gently, counting 1 to 5 again. Keep doing this for at least 5 minutes.

2. Make a list of what is overwhelming you. When you see things written out, it can make them seem less scary and threatening.

3. Put on some favorite music and dance! It has the power to literally transform the atmosphere and move the anger into powerful, positive energy.

4. Get outside and go for a walk - sounds so easy but we often struggle to justify the time or effort it takes, right? If we can go for even 10 minutes around the block, the change of air and scenery can shift our energy. Even better if you give yourself 30 mins.

5. Reach out to a friend and say yes to that Thanksgiving invitation. The support you allow yourself to receive from people who love you, appreciate and value you is critical.

And a final reminder - you are strong, you are doing your best and you are perfect just as you are. And I'm grateful to be able to support you on this tough life journey.

With love

Jen