While the holidays can be a time full of joy and memories, it’s not always the most wonderful time of year for everyone. 

The holiday season is often viewed as a time of joy, celebration, and connection. However, for many people, it can also bring stress, anxiety, and sadness. As we head into the holidays, many of our students may have empty chairs at their tables, are separated from family members, experiencing new holidays in a new country for the first time, or are struggling with holidays in the midst of a difficult year. These circumstances alone are difficult, but adding on the feeling of lacking holiday cheer and adding the holiday stress can be especially heavy. 

It’s okay to not be okay. And, it’s okay to be okay. Don’t be afraid or feel guilty about having fun. Grief, anxiety, joy, hope and other emotions can co-exist. 

It’s okay to schedule 30 minutes in the morning to cry if that is what you need to do. Try to plan time throughout your day to give yourself a break. Taking a walk, playing a 5 minute phone game, breathing deep, praying, or calling a friend may all be things that help you take care of yourself as you navigate the complex holiday feelings. Take time to feel all of the emotions, and then try to get up and navigate your day to the best of your ability!

Acknowledge the parts of the holiday season that might be especially difficult, and work together as a family to decide how to work through them and cope. If you have lost a loved one, this might look like deciding to honor your loved one through an old tradition, volunteering at a local charity, or holding a candlelight vigil. If your family is new to America, this might look like starting a new tradition, or practicing one of your favorite ones from home. 

Traditions are an exciting and important part of holidays for many families. But, it’s okay to retire some of your old traditions and create new ones.

If you are in need of additional support this holiday season click the “Health and Wellness” tab on MyTrinity.

The old adage, “We rise by lifting others,” is true. The more that we pour out for others, the more we may find that our cup is filled. If you are struggling this holiday season with finding the cheer, sometimes the best thing to do is try to fill that cheer for others. Baking a dessert, sending a card, visiting someone who is struggling, wrapping presents for an overwhelmed parent, or inviting a new family over can be great ways to support others, while also finding that it helps you, too. 

For more tips and activities, click here to see our Handling the Holidays toolkit