Healing this Holiday Season: Skills to Heal During the Holidays
The holidays can stir up old memories and habits, but they’re also a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t pause just because the season feels hectic or emotional. You’re still allowed to grow, rest, and choose the skills that support the progress you’ve already made. Every grounding technique, boundary, or moment of self-compassion you’ve practiced is still available to you now. You don’t have to return to old patterns—you’ve already begun carving a healthier path, and you can continue walking it, one steady step at a time.
Mindfulness Skills
Mindfulness skills can be simple yet incredibly powerful tools to keep you grounded during stressful or emotionally charged moments, especially throughout the holiday season when routines shift and emotions often run high. One gentle practice is to pick a color and name everything around you that matches it—objects, decorations, clothing, lights—anything your eyes land on. This small exercise engages your senses and shifts your attention away from past regrets or future worries, bringing you back into the present moment where you have the most control. Another helpful technique for anxiety or panic is eating something sour, like sour candy. The sharp, unexpected taste delivers a quick jolt to your senses, signaling your body to return to the here and now and interrupting spiraling thoughts before they become overwhelming.
When everything starts to feel too heavy, stepping away for a moment—perhaps taking a quiet break in the bathroom—to practice slow, deep belly breaths can help calm your nervous system, soothe tension, and steady your mind. This kind of intentional breathing signals safety to your body and helps reset your emotional state. You might even combine these practices: notice a color, take a few breaths, then return to your space feeling more grounded.
These small mindfulness skills aren’t just temporary distractions; they’re grounding tools that empower you to soothe yourself, stay anchored, and move through difficult moments with intention and resilience. Learning to lean on them during the holidays—and beyond—reminds you that you have the inner resources to navigate stress, triggers, and emotional waves without being swept away by them.
Identify the Trigger
Identifying the triggers that set you off when you’re around family or other people is an important step in caring for your emotional well-being. The holidays can bring up old patterns, unresolved tensions, or memories that make certain interactions feel especially sensitive. When you take the time to recognize what specifically is causing your discomfort—whether it’s certain comments, expectations, environments, or dynamics—you gain clarity and control over your response. Understanding your triggers doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong; it simply gives you insight into what your mind and body are reacting to. With that awareness, you can more easily choose and adapt the coping skills that best support you, whether that’s grounding exercises, setting boundaries, taking breaks, or seeking support. By knowing what affects you, you empower yourself to navigate these moments with intention rather than overwhelm.
Get It Out!
It’s important not to bottle up your feelings, especially when the holidays bring added stress, triggers, or emotional intensity. Just because you’re feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you have to hide it or force yourself to “be okay.” When emotions are pushed down and ignored, they don’t disappear—they build up over time, often resurfacing in ways that feel heavier and harder to manage. Bottling things up can make you feel isolated, disconnected, or even ashamed of what you’re experiencing, when in reality your emotions are valid and deserving of care.
Instead of keeping everything inside, give yourself permission to process what you’re going through. Journaling allows you to release your thoughts onto paper so they’re no longer spinning in your mind. Talking openly with someone you trust can help you feel understood and less alone. Meeting with your therapist provides a safe, structured space to explore your feelings, uncover the roots of your reactions, and build tools for healing.
At Joyful Horizons Counseling, we know how tough the holiday season can be—old wounds, family dynamics, stress, and expectations can all rise to the surface. You don’t have to navigate those moments by yourself. We’re here to support you with compassion, encouragement, and professional guidance so you can face these challenges with strength rather than silence. Allowing your emotions to be seen, heard, and worked through is not a sign of weakness—it’s a meaningful and courageous step toward deeper healing and emotional freedom.
Taking the first step toward getting support this holiday season can make a meaningful difference, especially if you’re navigating anxiety, depression, or trauma. Reaching out to a counselor at Joyful Horizons Counseling is a powerful act of courage and self-care—one that shows you’re ready to prioritize your well-being, even during a time that can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to face these challenges alone; compassionate, professional support is available to help you feel more grounded, understood, and empowered as you move through the season.