In our increasingly fast-paced lives it is easy to get so wrapped-up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that we forget to be present in the moment. By slowing down and connecting with the here and now, we are more likely to feel the joy that comes from these ordinary moments. Brené Brown said, “Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we are too busy chasing down extraordinary moments.” So, what can we do to be more present to the joyful moments this holiday season? Putting a focus on honoring your holiday traditions is a great place to start.
Traditions are beliefs or customs passed down from generation to generation that have special or symbolic meanings and significance. If you close your eyes and take yourself back to a favorite holiday memory, you may notice that you can almost feel, taste, smell and hear what is going on. Holidays were created to honor and celebrate the things that are important to us. Because of this, we tend to have very rich memories of them. During the holiday season we can step out of the routines of everyday life and step into a space of heightened meaning and importance. Some examples of holiday traditions include:
Holiday traditions are often made up of rituals which give us purpose and meaning while helping us to feel more connected and grounded. Recent research has shown that rituals decrease anxiety, increase confidence and alleviate disappointment. We all could reap the benefits of performing rituals during the holiday season! Rituals related to Holiday traditions could include:
Many holiday traditions and rituals may have been passed down and shared from generation to generation, however this may also be a time to begin new traditions and rituals. However, it’s key to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself and become stressed out. It can be helpful to take some time to think about the holiday traditions that mean the most to you and focus on making those a priority. With a little thoughtfulness and preparation, you can honor your chosen holiday traditions in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling for you and your loved ones.
For those living in an elder care facility, holidays may look very different than they used to. Staff members can start to help residents honor their holiday traditions by simply asking, “what are your holiday traditions?” or “how do you/did you celebrate the holidays?” If possible, consider inviting residents to form a holiday committee to help plan for how these traditions and rituals can be celebrated within the facility. For residents who may not be able to communicate well, we can reach out to their closest contacts to ask how they celebrated in the past, and if they would also like to be involved in the planning or implementation of the holiday celebrations. With curiosity and sincere interest, we can make the holidays a little brighter for those who no longer live in their own homes.
If you have experienced a recent loss or have a difficult relationship with your family, you may feel like you want to skip the holiday season altogether. Remember that you get to decide the extent to which you want to acknowledge the holidays you typically celebrate. Some suggestions on coping with grief during the holidays include:
For more information on grieving during the holidays, click here.
Honoring holiday traditions can bring us joy and meaning during this significant time of year. Take time this holiday season to reflect alone or with your chosen family, to determine which traditions and rituals are most meaningful for you this year. We hope you find peace and joy this holiday season.
References: