For many of us, the holiday season is filled with joy and celebration. But for others, it can be a painful reminder of what has been lost or can no longer be celebrated. Whether you’re missing loved ones, struggling with financial hardships, or feeling out of sorts, there are ways to still get into the spirit of the holidays this year.

Here are some tips on how to make the most of this year’s holiday season.

Be Realistic About Expectations

We often put pressure on ourselves during the holidays to have a perfect and magical experience. We want everything to be perfect and for everyone to have a wonderful time.

That’s great in theory, but in reality, it’s impossible to manufacture positivity when you’re dealing with loss and sadness. It is essential to manage your expectations so you don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Understand that nothing in life is truly perfect and that’s ok.

Find Joy in Small Things

Take some time over the holidays to focus on small moments that bring joy into your life. Maybe it’s taking a walk outside in the snow or having a cup of hot cocoa while reading your favorite book by the fire. Whatever it may be, these small moments can help lift your mood and make you feel more connected with yourself and others around you during this season.

Give Back

Helping others during this time of year can help restore your sense of purpose and hope for the future. Consider donating money or supplies to local charities or volunteering at a soup kitchen on Christmas day – whatever works for you. Giving back will likely make you feel good about yourself and your circumstances, and it will also give someone else in need a much-needed boost during the holiday season. 

Relax and Unwind

Sometimes taking a step back from all the hustle and bustle is exactly what you need to reset mentally and emotionally. Take some time for yourself by taking a yoga class, hiking a trail, getting lost in music, having a spa day, or watching your favorite holiday movie—whatever helps you relax. This can be especially useful if things become too chaotic or overwhelming during the holidays.

Connect With Others

It’s normal to miss loved ones at times like these, especially when they are no longer here with us physically. Reach out to family and friends over the phone or video calls – even if it is just for a few minutes – as human connection can really help combat loneliness during this time of year.

You could also join an online or local community of people who are dealing with similar issues. Finding a group with similar feelings as you can be a source of support and understanding during difficult periods.

Connecting with others helps remind us that we are not alone in our struggles and reminds us there is still hope even when times seem dark. There are also plenty of resources available such as counseling services if needed – don’t hesitate to reach out if you need it.

Create New Traditions

One of the best ways to bring joy to your life during the holidays is by creating new traditions. Whether it’s something as simple as baking cookies or starting a new charity drive, find activities that bring you joy and make them part of your annual holiday routine.

Give your Brain a Boost

Brain-boosting nootropic supplements can positively impact your brain function, attitude, and stress levels. Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Brain™ provides potent dosages of essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B, Bacopa, and Huperzine-A. Studies have shown that these ingredients can reduce stress and improve mood ^(1-3).

Don’t forget that two daily capsules of Dynamic Brain helps improve your memory, focus, mental clarity, and cognitive function as well.

The holidays should be filled with love, joy, peace, and connection – but sometimes the holiday blues take over instead. While grief and sadness cannot be avoided entirely, following these tips will help prevent feelings of sadness from taking away from the beauty of this special season!

Remember to take care of yourself, reach out to those close to you, and find solace in small moments throughout these days ahead – they will help bring back some much-needed light into your life!

Have a safe & happy holiday season.

Sources:
1. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood – PubMed | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23788517/
2. B Vitamins Play Important Roles in Mental Health Care | Psychology Today | psychologytoday.com/us/blog/integrative-mental-health-care/201709/b-vitamins-play-important-roles-in-mental-health-care
3. Administration of Huperzine A exerts antidepressant-like activity in a rat model of post-stroke depression – PubMed | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28583576/