9 Gentle Ways to Move through The Holidays With Care
Are you confronted with these questions in silence waiting for answers? Wondering where to turn?
How do I take the next step when my heart is tired and my spirit feels heavy?
How do I allow joy back in without feeling guilt for the love I’ve lost?
How do I breathe again when grief shows up in waves I can’t control?
How do I show up for the holidays when my heart longs for what’s missing?
If these questions live quietly in your heart, please know—you are not alone. The holidays have a way of amplifying grief, heartbreak, and longing, especially after a year filled with added stress, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion. What once felt joyful can suddenly feel tender, overwhelming, or even painful.
So how do we move through this season with gentleness and care?
One loving option is to reach out for support—whether that’s a coach, therapist, or trusted professional.
The holidays can feel especially tender when you’re carrying grief or heartbreak. They often stir emotions we’ve been holding all year—sadness, longing, anxiety, and exhaustion—especially after a season filled with so much uncertainty and fear. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, confused and may be asking, how do I move forward please know you are not alone, and nothing is “wrong” with you for feeling this way.
So how do we move through the holidays with a little more ease and care?
One loving option is to reach out for support—whether that’s a coach, counselor, or professional therapist. If you’re having trouble finding someone available, you’re warmly invited to schedule a Complimentary 30 minutes
“Healing forward” strategy session. You deserve support as you navigate this tender time.
Another option is to consider a few or all the tips blow to help you ease your emotions this holiday season for a more beautiful, enjoyable and meaningful celebration.
Get a journal that inspires you. Write a list of everything you are grateful for in you new Gratitude Journal. Every day add 5 more to your list, read them in the morning or before bed time, feel the gratitude in your heart. Watch your gratitude grow stronger and bring a sense of joy within you. Realizing the gifts in our lives help us feel better, opens the heart and fills it up with love!
Recognize your emotions and let them emerge without fighting them and release them. To release emotions means to free them from both your mind and body. While it’s vital to feel good, it’s equally important to let go of what doesn’t serve you. Suppressing emotions will only cause them to return more intensely later. Here are some ways to guide you letting your negative emotions go:
Meditation, at least once a day. Either sit quietly and focus on your breath, calming music or listen to a guided meditation.
Free Flow Writing; Pour your thoughts and feelings on the paper as you are writing. Write without worrying about grammar or spelling. Write down whatever comes up in your thoughts. Your journaling could look like this; “I feel lots of emotions coming up, oh I should not forget to buy milk, ok, where was I?”
Have extra sessions with your coach if you have one or a friend who is understanding and supportive. If you don’t have a coach, this is a good time to sign up with one. You can find great special holiday rates.
This is the time to take care of yourself. Be kind to yourself. Stress can cause fatigue. Make sure you are getting enough rest and drinking enough water to keep you hydrated. Try to eat fresh and healthy food if you tend to turn to junk food when you are dealing with stress.
Take 3 to 5 deep breaths every hour. Breathe to the point that you are comfortable, do not over do it. Breath in for 5 counts, hold the breath for 6 and release for 7 counts.
Do not take on strenuous physical activities. Taking walks in outside at a park or by the beach is a great way to get your blood flowing and getting the fresh air in your body. Body needs the positive Ions outdoors to refresh and repair.
Grieving loss of a loved one? Celebrate their memories. Acknowledge their presence by doing the following:
Light a candle in their memory
celebrate the way they enjoyed the holidays
give a gift to someone in need on their behalf or donate the money you would have spent for their gift to a charity they supported.
Don't keep the love you have for them in your heart. Share it with people around you and send it to your departed loved one. Share your fond memories of your loved one with family and friends.
Be open with your friends and family about what you are going through and what you can handle emotionally or physically, what you prefer to avoid specially during the holiday season.
If you have lost a child (my heart goes out to you) and you have other children. Celebrate the holidays the same as before. Perhaps taking these actions will support you and them feel a sense of balance. You can also add new traditions to honor your departed loved ones that may help everyone feel calm and special.
We encourage you to share in the comments the steps you are taking to heal negative emotions during this holiday season. Your insights may inspire others on their journey toward emotional well-being. Together, let's create a space of support and understanding as we navigate this time of year.
Complimentary 30 minutes “Healing forward” strategy session
Zoya Bokhoor-Mills
zoya@healingwithcompassion.com
866-908-4325