5 Tips to Remain Psychologically Healthy Through New Year’s and Beyond

by Dr. Amy Beth Taublieb

  1. Know that you are not alone in your feelings. One of the worst things about feeling angry, sad, anxious, or even numb around holiday time is the sense of feeling unique in experiencing these emotions. Actually, nothing is further from the truth. Despite repeated messages that this is “the most wonderful time of the year,” many folks are dreading these early winter weeks. However, since we are told we’re not supposed to feel this way, most of us don’t verbalize these feelings. As a result, we never know how many others feel exactly as we do!
  2. Try to figure out the source of your negativity. Regardless of the nature of our unpleasant feelings around holiday time, it’s typically not the holiday season itself that we are reacting to, but rather our associations with it. Whether it be grief/loss, recollections of holidays gone by, disappointment regarding our current lifestyle, or some combination of these, it doesn’t matter. Once you identify the source of your displeasure with the holiday season, you’re on your way to feeling better.
  3. Within reason, do only what you want to do. Evaluate the demands you perceive as being placed on you. Ask yourself whether these are truly required obligations or demands you are putting on yourself. Then, construct a realistic appraisal of what would happen if you didn’t completely fulfill these demands. Chances are, you will be positively surprised at how many of your holiday stressors are actually more optional than mandatory.
  4. Give yourself the “perfect” holiday present. Nobody is a better judge of what you would love to receive than you are. So, whether it’s an entire day of remaining in bed, a shopping trip at the mall, a special meal, time spent with a friend, or a day separated from the rest of the world, it doesn’t matter. Treat yourself by giving yourself what you want and need. Remember, you truly do deserve it.
  5. Remember that despite external messages, any given day is just that – any given day. A holiday is only different from every other day because we make it such by engaging in various behaviors. So, if you genuinely want to avoid the holiday mentality, allow yourself to make your holiday similar to any other day. Nobody can force you to celebrate! And, if you indeed choose not to acknowledge a given day as being a holiday, that is perfectly all right. Honest!

Dr. Amy Beth Taublieb has been a licensed psychologist in WNY for over 25 years, working with individuals, groups, couples, families, schools, courts, and businesses. She offers therapy for patients struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD, grief and loss, as well as other issues. Learn more at www.dramybeth.com or call 716-834-1505.