Tabitha Tip: Gift Yourself Mental Clarity This Christmas

Does the holiday season make you feel holly and jolly? Or is it quite the opposite? Whether you’re in charge of gift shopping, wrapping, party hosting or anything in between, the holidays can get overwhelming faster than you can say “Jingle Bells.” You can usually find reprieve and order within your own mind—but how can you possibly organize your thoughts when they’re going a mile a minute?

Tabitha has a gift recommendation for you during this holiday season: a calm mind! It’s simple, fulfilling and free—unless a self-care splurge is warranted, which we certainly encourage if it’ll bring you some cheer. This gift requires a bit more work than simply grabbing it off a shelf—but the payoff may be more rewarding than most.

Make your Christmas countdown into a priority list. Instead of counting down the days, count down the tasks! Rather than a plain to-do list, try a “done list.” Done lists can change how you view your productivity and propel you into a better mindset. For example, instead of thinking “I have so much left to do,” you might instead default to “I’ve already done so much,” or “I’m doing a great job handling my priorities!”

Done lists reduce burnout and encourage you to stay positive as you tackle chores both big and small. Not only that, but it’ll help you recognize when it’s time to take a break, treat yourself to a candy cane or two, or even call for help if your list is looking daunting. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others—duties done together make for some great bonding time.

Self-care makes an excellent stocking stuffer. While you can’t go wrong with some new warm socks or treats that lift your spirits, this tip is meant to be taken more figuratively than literally. In the midst of the end-of-year mania—among the parties and white elephants and family gatherings—it’s common to overlook something major: yourself. How can you incorporate self-care into your holidays?

A tool used in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is “coping ahead.” This exercise is used to reduce stress before a situation that you fear will be emotional or a lot to handle. Picture the circumstances as vividly as you can, decide what coping skills you could use, rehearse how you’d put those skills to work, then imagine how the scenario will turn out after you take action. Try this by yourself, or if your spouse, children or friends have shared concerns, you could try it as a group.

When all else goes awry, switch it up! The idea of deviating from tradition might be intimidating at first, but it can be a bright opportunity to relieve your mind of activities, decorations or recipes that aren’t serving you well. Holiday traditions bring nostalgia, belonging and meaning, but especially during a major life transition—such as the loss of a loved one or moving far from those you’d usually celebrate with—it can be healing to try something new.

Whether it’s before or after this year’s festivities, take some time to think about what brings you merry vibes during the holidays. What are your priorities? What can you leave behind to bring you peace of mind? What changes could you incorporate into next year’s celebrations? Perhaps you could add some of your thoughts to next year’s done list for future reference.

No matter how you spend your holidays, you should be able to enjoy them to the fullest without stress looming over your shoulder. Remember to treat yourself with care and kindness as you move toward the New Year!

This health tip is brought to you by Tabitha. To learn more, visit us at Tabitha.org or call 308.389.6002.

As the state’s quality award-winning expert for older adults, nonprofit Tabitha empowers people to live joyfully, age gratefully. Supporting families since 1886 across Nebraska, Tabitha offers a range of services, from results-driven rehabilitation, accessible at-home home health care, innovative living communities and compassionate hospice services. Tabitha is Your Answer; learn more at Tabitha.org.