While the holidays can be beautiful, they can also be triggering in various ways. I interviewed Karis Lambert, a Licensed Professional Counselor, to find out her four tips on how to manage stress during the holidays.
Karis’s practice, Her Space Counseling, centers around supporting women. Certified in perinatal mental health and EMDR therapy, she works with women trying to get pregnant, moms, as well as women navigating stress, anxiety and trauma.
One note, for those grieving, Karis shares, “It’s important to honor what’s coming up for you. Tend to it. It can be easy to push away, but grief is one of those things that, when it comes up, you need to be in it. It’s okay to be sad, to cry and to say no to things to take the time you need.”
To contact Karis, visit herspacecounseling.com or email her at karis@herspacecounseling.com
Practice Mindfulness and Grounding
One really helpful grounding skill is called The Five Senses. It’s where you look around the room and notice five things, then four things that you can hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. Find ways to keep yourself in the present; maybe it’s exercise or connecting with someone.
Set Proper Boundaries
Identify your limits. A lot of times, we think about physical boundaries, but boundaries can also be time and topics of conversation. Boundaries are the way we protect ourselves. You can’t continuously pour from an empty cup; you have to protect yourself and boundaries are how you do that. Identify your boundaries and then communicate them.
Self-Care and Nourishment
Schedule a time where you can take care of yourself. Take a break to get coffee by yourself when you have a house full of people at home that you’re hosting or take a walk. Maybe it’s gentle movement or eating food that feels good for your body. Do things that are going to fill you up during this season where you are pouring out.
Connection Over Perfection
With social media and all the holiday traditions, it’s easy to want it all to be perfect, but focus on connection rather than perfection. Focus on being in the moment, being with people you care about - that’s where the holiday fun comes in. Our best memories don’t rely on the perfect things, but instead on the human things.