Posts

Showing posts with the label Holidays

Coping with Loss During the Holiday Season

Image
  The past or anticipated death of someone we love can be especially difficult during the holiday season, a time when many people around us are celebrating with close family and friends. Rather than being a time of celebration, it can sometimes become filled with sadness, longing, and emptiness. Here are some tips to help you get through this holiday season: Allow yourself to acknowledge that this time of year might be different or difficult and that it’s okay for it to feel this way. Make a plan for where, when and with whom you want to celebrate the holiday. You might want to change your traditions or plans to accommodate the fact that this year feels different and you might need more/different support. Try to anticipate and communicate your needs to others you will be with during the holidays. Consider picking out a gift for yourself that reminds you of the person you’ve lost (favorite music, hobby you’ve shared, picture frame, charm or ornament etc.). Give yourself permission t...

Balancing the Holidays & Infertility

Image
  The holidays can be an extremely difficult time for those experiencing infertility. Holiday gatherings can cause anxiety, sadness, and even jealousy–it’s hard to see women who are pregnant or a family that has the baby that you are longing for. If you are dreading this holiday season, here are 5 tips to make it more bearable: Change of Plans If you are feeling overwhelmed by holiday festivities this year, it is okay to change your plans. Think about the parts of the holiday that are important to you this year and consider ways to prioritize those experiences and ditch the rest. Detox Social media and photo holiday cards can be especially triggering for some during the holiday season. Consider going on a digital detox and limiting your exposure during the holidays. If you find you are having difficulty, make a plan for opening holiday cards, which can include waiting until after the holidays to open them, or opening them with a friend or partner present. Plan Ahead Holiday gatheri...

Handling The Holidays During A Pandemic

Image
This year, some chose to put up holiday decorations on November 1, the day after Halloween. “It’s 2020!” They said, “We deserve it!” This visible reminder has brought on a number of emotions for quarterlifers. In addition to big decisions about their education, career path, and romantic relationships, they’ve been dealing with the ongoing pandemic this year. And now? The holidays. How should you approach a holiday season (already a time of high emotions) that is like no other? Keep reading for our best tips about handling this season during the pandemic. 1. Plan ahead. If you’re feeling stressed about the holidays, one thing that may alleviate your anxiety is planning. In past years, you may have known exactly what your plans are. With new health recommendations, it may not make sense to follow through with these due to the risks. Start thinking about what you’ll choose to do and who you’ll choose to spend time with. Knowing what to expect is always helpful. 2. Assess the risks. A pand...

Holiday Gifts To Support Quarterlifers' Mental Health

Image
Looking for gift ideas for that young adult in your life? Here are some books and apps to help them feel supported. BOOKS Quarterlife Crisis  by A. Robbins & A. Wilner - This book explores the quarterlife crisis, which is a landmine period in adult development. It can be overwhelming to emerge from college graduation after almost two decades of schooling and need to make several choices regarding their careers, finances, home, and social networks.  Quarterlife Crisis  not only documents the phenomenon but offers insightful advice about the challenging transition. Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis  by A. Robbins - This book is a follow-up to  Quarterlife Crisis , which addressed the difficult and confusing time during the transition from childhood to adulthood.  Conquering Your Quarterlife  Crisis delivers a roadmap and puts readers on the path to answer their soul-searching questions. The Defining Decade  by Meg Jay, PhD - This read aims...

Balancing the Holidays & Infertility

Image
The holidays can be an extremely difficult time for those experiencing infertility. Holiday gatherings can cause anxiety, sadness, and even jealousy–it’s hard to see women who are pregnant or a family that has the baby that you are longing for. If you are dreading this holiday season, here are 5 tips to make it more bearable: Change of Plans If you are feeling overwhelmed by holiday festivities this year, it is okay to change your plans. Think about the parts of the holiday that are important to you this year and consider ways to prioritize those experiences and ditch the rest. Detox Social media and photo holiday cards can be especially triggering for some during the holiday season. Consider going on a digital detox and limiting your exposure during the holidays. If you find you are having difficulty, make a plan for opening holiday cards, which can include waiting until after the holidays to open them, or opening them with a friend or partner present. Plan Ahead Holiday gatherings ca...

Coping with Loss During The Holiday Season

Image
The past or anticipated death of someone we love can be especially difficult during the holiday season, a time when many people around us are celebrating with close family and friends. Rather than being a time of celebration, it can sometimes become filled with sadness, longing, and emptiness. Here are some tips to help you get through this holiday season: Allow yourself to acknowledge that this time of year might be different or difficult and that it’s okay for it to feel this way. Make a plan for where, when and with whom you want to celebrate the holiday. You might want to change your traditions or plans to accommodate the fact that this year feels different and you might need more/different support. Try to anticipate and communicate your needs to others you will be with during the holidays. Consider picking out a gift for yourself that reminds you of the person you’ve lost (favorite music, hobby you’ve shared, picture frame, charm or ornament etc.). Give yourself permission to skip...

Handling The Holidays During A Pandemic

Image
This year, some chose to put up holiday decorations on November 1, the day after Halloween. “It’s 2020!” They said, “We deserve it!” This visible reminder has brought on a number of emotions for quarterlifers. In addition to big decisions about their education, career path, and romantic relationships, they’ve been dealing with the ongoing pandemic this year. And now? The holidays. How should you approach a holiday season (already a time of high emotions) that is like no other? Keep reading for our best tips about handling this season during the pandemic. 1. Plan ahead. If you’re feeling stressed about the holidays, one thing that may alleviate your anxiety is planning. In past years, you may have known exactly what your plans are. With new health recommendations, it may not make sense to follow through with these due to the risks. Start thinking about what you’ll choose to do and who you’ll choose to spend time with. Knowing what to expect is always helpful. 2. Assess the risks. A pand...