Christmas, one of the more festive seasons in the Philippines, can bring a few unwelcome guests – worry, stress, anxiety, and depression. No doubt about it. Come the -ber months, the pressure is on to buy presents, visit relatives, welcome relatives, shop, cook, clean, entertain, and shop some more.
All these on top of the lockdown aftermath and the continuing threat of Covid-19’s newer variants. Indeed, Christmas hasn’t been the same the past two years.
The emotional toll this has taken shouldn’t take any more from us. Here are some practical tips to welcome the cheer.
- Own up to your feelings – Acknowledging how you feel is the biggest step. If someone dear to you has passed, or if for some reason, you couldn’t be with your loved ones, realize that the knee-jerk reaction is truly grief and sadness.
- Reach out to someone – Seeking out a community (a church choir, a barkada, a social group,etc) can do wonders for your mental health. Many of these groups have online support systems, social media sites, websites, and even virtual events. If groups aren’t your thing, talk to a family membe or a close friend. Call, text, Zoom.
And if time and resources permit, volunteer. When you help others, you broaden friendships and lift your spirit as well.
- Keep an eagle eye on your finances-Those 12.12 sales are irresistible, to say the least. After all, we all deserve to treat ourselves once in a while. This habit, however, can backfire down the line (and can cause even more stress as the bills pile up). So before you check out that cart, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Ditch the non-essentials. Consider making homemade gifts, or initiate a gift exchange. Most of the time, the gift can even involve something immaterial – helping an elder clean their place, cooking etc.
- Learn to say NO – Setting boundaries can be quite difficult within the Filipino family setting. But if NO isn’t in your vocabulary, you will certainly end up feeling overwhelmed and resentful later on. You don’t need to attend every party or do every errand asked of you. If you find it next to impossible saying NO, (such as when your manager requires you to do overtime) remove an item off of your to-do list and set it aside for later.
- Stay healthy – If there’s anything 2020 and 2021 have taught us, it’s that health is indeed wealth. Don’t let the holidays become an excuse for overindulging! Practice mindful eating. Have a little of the unhealthy foods that you crave but balance it with healthy items on your plate. Don’t neglect sleep. Include physical exercise in your routine. Avoid excessive alcohol and tobacco. Learn relaxation techniques as well (yoga, meditation, breathing exercises).
Most important, set aside time for yourself. If you find an activity you enjoy, then by all means, do it. Take a break. Disconnecting from electronics and enjoying 15 minutes of silence without distractions can refresh you like nothing else can.
Don’t let the holidays become something you dread rather than look forward to. If you know your triggers, learn how to avoid them so that you can plan ahead. With a little forward-thinking, you CAN find serenity, happiness, and joy this holiday season.
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