Breathe Mama : Beat The Holiday Blues and Beyond

I love watching the holidays through the precious eyes of my children in seeing their excitement. Their innocence in not recognizing grown up emotions fully allowed me the safety to hide my feelings in being a bit more down this holiday season than usual; my children were protected in not carrying the burden of mommy’s holiday blues. I’m not a fan of toxic positivity in carrying a façade in masking the depth of where you are mentally in any season, but I had a major turn around in lifting my spirits in being able to shake my holiday blues in magnifying the little things that count in surviving the holidays in living through a pandemic.

I found myself beginning to shutdown in the midst of the hustle and bustle of everyday life in being distracted in really enjoying moments with my kiddos although I was going through the mudane daily motions of managing our home, and I decided in determination to get out of my holiday funk. I’m in such a better place that has nothing to do with temperamental adjustments that has helped me beat the holiday blues that will last beyond the holiday season. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer, renewing your mind in train of thought patterns, and pausing to take in moments of gratitude throughout the day.

Here’s What Helped Me Beat My Holiday Blues!

• Acknowledgement of awareness of my mental health needs and state. Talking to a professional will let you know if what you’re experiencing is biological or situational in feeling down in getting you the proper help. Don’t ignore it or allow anyone to surpress how you are feeling in making you feel weak, ashamed, or dramatic. Depression is a serious condition that many people live with daily while appearing high functioning on the outside. We really need to talk about mental health more without judgment as moms to help each other and ourselves.
• Taking a daily gratitude checklist throughout the day. There isn’t just one thing to be thankful for each day, but there are many things to be thankful for throughout the day. It really helps in seeing the bigger picture, taking in priceless treasures we’re afforded, and applying appreciation for the gift of life.
• Talking it out transparently with trusted confidants who are able to provide a safe place to release, sound advice, and warm encouragement.
• Getting enough rest! A lot of things we experience physically, mentally, and emotionally ties with our lack of sleep.
• Taking a pause. Life may seem like we’re at a pause with social distancing guidelines in shut downs, but the truth is we’re more on edge with alerts in other areas in trying to cope in managing our homes, work load, and having extra stress in navigating through so many things virtually. Take a pause from looking at a computer screen, a pause from social media if needed, a pause for watching the news briefings, and a pause from anything that brings on negative emotions.
• Not allowing others to dictate my day and time for their convenience. Set boundaries, speak up, choose wisely the company I want to entertain in protecting my energy, and not people pleasing in over exerting beyond my limits.
• Applying humor as much as possible. Watch a funny video, connect with friends who lighten the mood effortlessly, and laugh at silly mishaps instead of allowing it to break your spirit.
• Spending time in nature, writing, creating, crafting, reading a good book, and just doing anything that brings moments of fulfillment.
• Getting my body moving through moderate exercise, dancing, or a brisk walk.
• Letting go the need of perfection with unmeasurable, unrealistic expectations, and unsubstantiated efforts in taking it day by day with grace.
• Removing in thought what I don’t have earthly power to control.
• Learning how to not take in others emotions, mood, or issues personally.
• Magnifying the moments of quality time with my children, close family, and close friends while focusing attentively without unnecessary distractions.
• Reducing complaints, but counting my blessings.
• Giving through donations or random act of kindness.
• Celebrating the reason of the season through faith, fellowship at home with family, sharing time creatively with dear friends, and focusing on giving and receiving the gifts that never grow old.