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5 Ways to Protect Your Energy During the Holidays
The holidays can be draining. There are a ton of errands to run, food to cook, and people to please. Many factors go into draining our energy during the holidays. Here are some ways that you can help protect your energy and fill your cup during the holiday craziness.
Check Those Boundaries
When you get drained, it can be because you are doing too much for others. It is natural to be giving and kind during the holidays, but it is also okay to have some limits.
If you have overcommitted yourself, make sure to start saying “no” to some things and even cancelling. Let people know that you just do not have the time, or say something like, “I don’t think that will work for me/us/my family this time, we have a lot on our plate.
If you are having trouble coming up with ways to say “no” check out this article.
In the past, I have had friends push back on me with this. I even have some new friends who try to convince me to do something I do not have the energy to do. When this happens, I remember that it is okay for people to feel disappointed and that my real friends will get over me cancelling. My best friends will understand that I need to recharge to be my best for them when we can meet up.
Self Care
Do not forget to take care of yourself. The holidays are a time of happiness and gathering, but it can also be a time of germ-spreading and burn out. If you can, schedule a massage, take some time to write in your journal and reflect on the year, take a long bath, or sleep in a few days. If you are not able to get some time to yourself, see the boundaries portion of this article above.
But, in all seriousness, you need to know what you can do to recharge. If you do not know how to do that, take some time to brainstorm starting with this free download.
Prioritize Who You Spend Time With
During the holiday time, there will be a lot of people possibly trying to spend time with you. Many of us go to be with family that we do not usually see.
Of course, there are some family obligations that you should attend to. Your Aunt Jasmine might not be your favorite person to see, but you know it brings her happiness to see you. We sometimes cannot help but commit to certain family functions.
To keep yourself from losing too much energy, look for a balance between people who fill your cup and the draining social gatherings that will leave you depleted. Schedule some time to see that Aunt Jasmine, but keep it short with a promise that you will not wait only to see her on the holidays.
If you keep it to a simple format of 80/20, 80% of your time is with people you know will bring you joy and 20% is with those you are obligated to, you can protect and build your energy. I even do 30/50/20 with that 30% going to time alone. I need that time to recharge and process.
Pay Attention to Your Emotions
While you are running at a fast-paced speed during the holidays, it is important to check in with your emotions. Sometimes, you will lose a level of self-awareness when life gets hectic.
If you are feeling stress or drained of energy, take some time to slow down and label your emotions. After a quick check-in, you might figure out that you are feeling emotions that you need to deal with before moving on to the next party or get-together.
Focus on Gratitude
Whenever there are times of stress and overwhelm surrounding family and the many interactions that those times bring, remember that gratitude can also help you center. There are many people out there who do not have family and friends to be with. If you are feeling like it is all too much, that’s understandable. Take space, look at your boundaries, but also remember to be grateful.
Gratitude is proven to increase happiness and what better way to fill your cup?
Have a great holiday!
Dr. Autumn Thomas
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