From shopping to traveling to family gatherings, the holidays can sometimes feel a little less than joyful. But there are things you can do to help ease yourself through this time of year.
“I think what folks can really take some time to think about is changing our perspective,”said Jennifer Velten, senior director of trauma services at CarePlus NJ, in an interview with NJ Spotlight News.
“We make a shift from ‘what I have to do’ to ‘what I get to do.’ If we can start to make a shift around our own internal perspective, it brings joy back in small ways.”
Velten said she would apply that same advice to those feeling the financial strain this time of year. People should focus on giving gifts that may be a lesser dollar value, she said, but create special experiences and memories with loved ones.
As for family stress, “if you can prepare yourself that some level of disagreement and discomfort is probably going to be present, you’re going to be better prepared for it,” Velten said. “Secondly, ask, ‘Is it a manageable amount of stress? Can I kind of work through it?’ If the answer is no, how can I set limits and boundaries?”
But Velten also acknowledged that many people feel the pain of loss and grief especially hard during the holidays.
“We as humans are capable of feeling more than one thing at a time,” she said. “If I can allow myself to feel that joy, and at the same time, grieve and honor loved ones that might not be with me physically, or perhaps I’m estranged from, I give myself permission to be a complete human and feel more than one thing at a time.”
