Staying Mentally Resilient
During the Holidays
by SuSanne CutShall, DnP, aPRn, CnS
anD Debbie FuehReR, Ma, lPCC
The holidays promise joyful family togetherness,
laughter, relaxation, and fun celebrations with friends. When
anxiety, stress and hectic activity threaten to hijack the festiv-
ities, it helps to scale back and balance unrealistic
expectations and perceived lack of control with meaningful
activities. Even if we find joy in some aspects of the holidays,
we can get swept away into many open files in our minds or
“To-Do” lists that lessen the enjoyment of the season. Here
are some strategies that may serve as a guide to get through
this time of the year with more cheer and less strain on your
mental health.
things such as having warm socks in the winter or getting a
phone call from friend. On Sunday night, reflect on these 21
gratitude events instead worrying about the upcoming week and
worrying about past problems.
Observe what is going on around you with deeper
sense of wonder and curiosity. Pay attention to your
surroundings. Admire holiday decorations, slowly taste your
meals and enjoy time in nature each day when possible. Walk
among the trees and slowly inhale their fragrance, bird watch
and notice the animal tracks in the snow. Find the extraor-
dinary in the ordinary. The holidays are often a time to savor
Notice that everyone has struggles and no one is
overly appreciated. Begin each day by thinking of five
people for whom you are grateful and send them a silent well
wish. This will allow you to put your energy and time into
those who support you and whose presence makes you
happy. It is like giving them a virtual hug.
Take time to show your gratitude in small ways
throughout your day. It will create a calming impact on
you and maybe even those around you. However, don’t expect
others to change. You only have control over your response, but
the choices you make will powerfully impact your well-being.
Research has shown that the act of being grateful every day has
significant physical and mental health benefits. Consider
keeping a holiday gratitude journal or gratitude jar. At night
before you go to bed, instead of thinking of things that may
have irritated you during the day, replace those thoughts with
three things that went well, note whether you had anything to
do with them and how they made you feel. Reflect on small
December 2018
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