Family Holidays, Sadness, & Active Mindfulness

Every season can make you feel a different type of sadness due to loneliness, finances, or experiencing a loss of a family member. However, with each season, you might be feeling nervous, scared, or unexplained sadness when surrounded by others. Often you might overeat, eat less, or might not want to do family holiday pictures. Other times, you might have expectations for your family members to leave early or to stay longer at the family gatherings. Yet, you might feel neglected, unappreciated, or feel boredom during the holidays. 

Sometimes, a mix of more negative emotions combined with positivity can make you feel uncomfortable with your family members. Also, unanswered invitations, expecting an apology, or other reasons can make it difficult to connect with others during the holidays. It is recommended to keep track of your emotions, eating, and your sleep. Be aware of your surroundings, your emotions, and how you are feeling in the present. Take every holiday activity slowly and do breathing techniques to reduce your stress. 

It is also recommended to know and understand what causes your sadness. Often sadness can manifest into anger, guilt, or uncontrollable crying or laughter. Write down what you are experiencing and seeking a professional therapist can be the first step to reduce your sadness. Other times your sadness might disappear after the holidays end and restart again as the seasons change. Yet, follow suggestions from your primary physician and from your therapist. 

Be kind to yourself and extending your self-care days can be useful. Do not force yourself to enjoy the holidays but do release your sadness in a safe and comfortable area with someone that you can trust. Other times you might not feel sad until a family member takes pictures of you and asks you why you look sad in the family pictures. Listen to your family members and connect with them without feeling pressured to speak about your sadness. Before you begin speaking about your sadness to your family members, be comfortable communicating with it. 

Accept help and be respectful with your emotions. Avoid negative situations that can make your sadness worse. As well as avoiding unhealthy friendships or relationships that can make you feel more stressed out during the holidays. Spending less time with toxic people and keeping boundaries to feel less pain, sadness, or financial stress. Do accept your mistakes, sadness, and give yourself time to reflect on your day-to-day. 

To release your sadness, you can practice visual meditation, mindfulness, or guided meditation for holiday sadness. Additionally, journaling about your sadness. Coping with your sadness in a new year can also be tough to manage. However, do strive to be in a comfortable environment with healthy friendships and relationships. Do mindful observation to help you track your mood, sleep, eat, and the days you feel sadness. 

Mindful observation can help you have a deeper connection with oneself. Alternatively, you can do active mindfulness to improve your mood and reduce your sadness. Active mindfulness can be done by jogging, running, walking, or stretching. Find activities to help you exercise and relax such as cleaning, brushing your teeth, or other activities to feel less sad. Also, exercising with your family during the holidays can help you cope with the year-end holidays.

Always consult with your primary physician before practicing mindfulness. Do not mindfulness to replace your medical treatments. However, do practice mindfulness without forcing yourself to do mindfulness activities. The holidays can be difficult to celebrate, especially when you are feeling sad. Yet, surround yourself with caring, supportive, and people who understand your sadness. 

It might be challenging but it is possible to manage your feelings and sadness. Practice gratitude, positive affirmations, and self-compassion before the new year begins. Always consult with your therapist and primary doctor for medical treatments to recover from your sadness. Seek professional help if your sadness continues every month or it prevents you from doing your day-to-day family routines. Here are websites with tips to meditate during the holidays and let go sadness. 

 

Guided Meditations-Holiday Grief Meditation:

Holiday Grief Meditation | Jean Gutierrez

Guide-Holidays-Deconstructing Stigma:

The Holiday Survival Guide for Your Mental Health

Holiday Blues:

Holiday Depression: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Coping

* Font, background, and artwork made in Photo Collage Editor Maker