The holidays are supposed to be a time of happiness. You get to spend time with your family and friends, eat what you like, and enjoy the fact that you can sit around and do nothing. If you can get past the awkward conversations, you’re perfectly ok. It should be easy to be happy during the holidays. Some people are unhappy, though. This is the disturbing truth. Why is that? Are they simply the exception to the rule? There are many reasons why a person might not feel so festive. The good news is that you can unlock your inner happiness during momentous occasions. Do you want to know the secret? If so, keep on reading to find out how to stay healthy and positive this holiday season.
Understand that you don’t need other people’s approval
When you manage to gain other people’s approval, you feel good about yourself. You don’t have to face criticism or disapproval. Maybe not, but keep in mind that you’re putting other people’s values, beliefs, not to mention needs ahead of yours. Do what you want to do for a change during the holiday season. Forget about forced cheer and awkward conversations at parties. If all you want to do is to stay home and bake cookies, that’s perfectly fine.
Turn down the volume when it comes to other people’s opinions and tune in to your inner dialogue. Don’t live your life just to please others. Think about having an “I don’t care” Christmas or New Year. Make a list of all the things that you could do without, such as spending a great deal of money on gifts or wearing an ugly sweater that makes you look childish. Let go of the need for approval and get on with your life. Don’t worry about what others think. You make the holidays whatever you want.
Be ready to talk about something you feel good about
Talking can make you feel better. It leads to a feeling of catharsis, which in turn provides relief. Be prepared to talk about something that makes you feel good. If you don’t feel like swapping holiday recipes or talking about holiday decors, come up with a topic yourself. Avoid discussing your problems, helplessness or pessimism. If you do, you risk bringing yourself down. The best thing you can do is focus on the good things, small as they are. You can brag about your hobbies or the project you’re working on at work.
As you get ready for special occasions, be thankful for the things that you have. Don’t forget the fact that there are others less unfortunate than you. Many are going without clothes, food, not to mention presents. The point is that your problems aren’t actually special. This might sound hard, but it’s the truth. Others have real reasons to be unhappy and don’t even dare to complain. Don’t talk about yourself. Learn how to ask questions and let other people do the talking. Self-talk isn’t always a good idea. It takes you down instead of boosting you up.
Don’t be so hard on yourself
When the music starts playing on the radio, you’re overcome by feelings of sadness and despair. Your loved ones live far, far away and you don’t have a special person with whom to share the joy of Christmas or New Year. Maybe so, but you shouldn’t let that bring you down. You’re not a failure just because you’re all by yourself. It’s simply not your fault. Stop looking at social media photos or keeping a close eye on how others have a good time. Seeing posts of people engaging in exciting holiday activities will only make you sad and anxious. You won’t arrive in a good emotional place.
There’s an opportunity to snap out of the loneliness. The key is to stop comparing your life to that of others. Perhaps you can’t make it to the winter festival, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. If you have a little bit of Christmas things from the Christmas Tinsel shop you ordered last year, put it to good use. Crafting will help you turn negative feelings and thoughts into something positive. When you get tired of spending too much time inside, grab your scarf and gloves and head outside for a night on the town. Invite a friend to come along.
Eat well
Why do you think that people get together and share meals? Because food affects the mind, body, and spirit. In other words, food can put you in a good mood. What you put in your mouth affects the function of your brand and, automatically, your mood. If you want to be in a happy state, stay away from junk food like burgers or fries. They won’t do anything good for your physical or emotional wellness. You’re better off eating turkey or mince pies. If you don’t have the time to cook, don’t worry because there are places where you can sit back and enjoy traditional dishes.
So, having a bite to eat can make you feel better. Your body gets the nutrients it needs to function properly. Consider incorporating many foods in your diet if you want to keep the mood swings at bay. After a day of snacking on chips, you’ll come home and feel the need to consume something healthier. If you indulge in a healthy diet, you’ll feel a lot better. You’ll even discover that your craving for junk food isn’t so pronounced. Sure, you would feel a lot happier if you could celebrate the momentous occasions like everyone else, but it’s better than nothing.
All in all, it’s okay to feel sad every now and then, even if it’s the holidays. However, it’s not recommended to let negative feelings bring you down. You may live a different reality compared to other people, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Create the reality that you want to live right now. It’s not that hard.