According to psychologists, the holiday season may trigger feelings of loneliness, regret or failure for many people. In today's world, we all have too many things to do and not enough time to do them. Shifting our approach to the holidays into one of ease, togetherness and giving from the heart will provide new meaning and focus for the season. Behaving and talking as if you feel optimistic, outgoing and self-confident will often trigger those happy emotions. Research shows that achieving a state of mind in a task that engages and challenges your skills, without overwhelming them, increases quality of life.
Handmade gifts can be very rewarding to make and receive.
Taking the time to listen to some holiday music while making gifts may become a new holiday tradition. Host a potluck instead of trying to cook the entire feast by yourself. Create your own rituals to instill more meaning into the season. Make a donation of food, time or other resources to a local charity. Encourage your civic organizations to adopt a family for the holidays, providing food and gifts.