Oh, the holidays. No matter which holiday you celebrate this time of year, you probably fall into one of two camps—gleeful anticipation or downright dread.
In fact, a recent poll by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that nearly nine in 10 people find the holidays to be stress provoking. They cite financial concerns, anticipated family conflict, and missing loved ones as why the season of joy can feel more like a season of strain.
But did you know that finding the “awe” and wonder in everyday experiences can actually boost mood and improve mental health? This year, consider shifting your perspective. Focus less on the hustle and bustle and more on the little things that make the holidays special. Read on for 10 simple ways you can find your awe this holiday season.
Why Do Some People Dread the Holidays?
What is the “most wonderful time of the year” for some is anything but for others. The holidays typically come with a packed schedule of events and obligations, which can easily lead to burnout. And as the gift list grows, so does the financial stress.
According to the APA poll, 43 percent of respondents said that the stress of the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy them and 36 percent said the holidays feel like a competition. Those in the “gleeful anticipation” camp may not understand this doom and gloom attitude around the holidays. But here are some top reasons this could be the case.
Pressure for perfection: We often put enormous pressure on ourselves to create the “perfect” holiday. We’re decorating, cooking, baking, hosting, and wrapping. There never seems to be enough time to get it all done. Setting expectations that are too high—or even unattainable—make what could be enjoyable activities feel more like a chore.
Financial strain: The costs associated with holiday shopping, travel, and celebrations can lead to financial stress, making the season feel more like a burden than a joyous occasion. Families could be facing additional stress due to job loss, divorce, or healthcare bills.
Loneliness, grief, and loss: The holidays are typically about family; therefore, those suffering the loss of a loved one may not feel like celebrating. Those who are separated from family by distance or because of a military deployment, may be experiencing feelings of sadness, grief, and loneliness. Some families could be navigating the first holiday after a divorce.
Family dynamics: Tension between immediate and/or extended family members intensifies the stress around holiday get-togethers. Whether the conflict is around recent political events or longstanding unresolved feelings and relationships, the possibility of uncomfortable or hurtful interactions can cast a pall over the season.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Some people experience depression during the winter months due to reduced sunlight. SAD can significantly affect mood and energy levels.
Cultural or Religious Differences: Not everyone celebrates the same holidays or may not celebrate at all, leading to feelings of exclusion or disconnect. The APA poll showed stress levels were high for those who celebrate traditionally Jewish (23 percent) or other non-Christian religious holidays (20 percent) because they felt the holiday season doesn’t reflect their culture, religion, or traditions. Overall, 63 percent of respondents, regardless of what they celebrate, use negative words such as stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting to describe the holidays.
How Awe Improves Well-Being
According to Dacher Keltner, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, experiencing awe is critical to our well-being. “Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world,” Keltner told the New York Times.
Keltner said awe creates an entirely different feeling in our bodies than feelings of joy, contentment, or fear. In his research, he found that health benefits of awe include calming our nervous system and triggering the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes positive feelings, much like serotonin or endorphins.
10 Ways to Find the Awe in the Holidays
This holiday season, try making a conscious effort to appreciate the good things happening all around you. Your idea of “awe” may be different from someone else’s—and that’s okay. The most important thing is to seek it out, enjoy it, and share it with others.
Finding the awe in the holidays can often be discovered in the simplest and most unexpected ways. Here are 10 activities to inspire you:
1. Do Random Acts of Kindness
Have you ever noticed what happens when you do something nice for others? Not only are you making someone’s day better, you feel better as a result. Research shows that being kind to another person activates your brain’s reward system, as if you were the recipient of the good deed. This emotion is referred to as the “helper’s high.”
So, whether you pick up the tab for the person behind you or shovel snow off your elderly neighbor’s driveway, these little acts can help remind you what the season is about. And, once someone is the recipient of a kind gesture, they are more likely to pay it forward. The joy you bring to others will create a ripple effect. Here are a few ideas:
- Leave a treat, card, or tip for your mail carrier or garbage service providers
- Make and deliver cards to a nursing home
- Call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while
- Pick up someone’s tab at a restaurant
- Support an Angel Tree program in your community
- Give a stranger a compliment
- Gather a group of friends for lunch and “adopt a server” by leaving a generous tip
If you’re looking for some ways to spread kindness, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating kindness at work, home, or school, through free resources.
2. Take a Holiday Lights Tour
Taking in a beautiful light display is a great way to spend an evening with your family. Look on your local community pages to see which neighborhoods are decked out this year. Take a stroll down your local town square or visit a neighboring town for a new experience. If you’re willing to travel, check out this list of U.S. News Travel’s list of the country’s best light displays.
3. Rediscover Old Traditions
Introduce your family to traditions of your childhood. Whether it’s baking a special recipe, watching a classic holiday movie, or playing a favorite board game, these activities can bring a sense of comfort and nostalgia. And, you can pass these beloved traditions on to your kids for generations to come.
4. Volunteer
What better way to show your children the reason for the season than to volunteer at a local charity or community event? Helping others can be incredibly fulfilling and can put the true spirit of the holidays into perspective. Food banks, homeless shelters, and animal shelters are all great places to lend your time and have additional needs around the holidays. Visit volunteermatch.org to find volunteer opportunities in your local community. You can search by volunteer type, and your preference for in-person or virtual.
5. Get Crafting
Holiday crafting is a great activity to do as a family. DIY wreaths, ornaments, picture frames, and other household holiday décor are not only a fun and affordable way to decorate your own home, they make great gifts for others. Your family will enjoy the process of creating something unique and personal. And, each year when you pull out the box of DIY decorations, you’ll remember the time you spent together as a family.
6. Try a New Recipe
Gather friends or family for a cooking or baking session. Sharing recipes and creating something delicious together can be a great bonding experience. Baking and decorating cookies or other sweet treats is a quintessential holiday activity, but you can also make it part of your “random act of kindness.” Deliver your creations to friends and neighbors. If you are aware of a family going through a difficult time, baking a casserole or other large dish allows them the convenience to freeze and reheat for future easy meals.
7. Have a Movie Marathon
Who doesn’t love a great movie? Sometimes our holiday schedules keep us from enjoying a nice evening to ourselves. Building in time to sit, relax and enjoy some holiday classics, or just a list of your all-time favorite films can be a cozy and enjoyable way to spend time with loved ones.
8. Seek Out Community Events
You may be surprised what you can find in your own community. Many places offer events such as tree lightings, parades, holiday markets, or plays. Just being out among people enjoying what the season has to offer can be infectious. And best of all, many of these activities are free.
9. Practice Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Self-Care
Practicing mindfulness and gratitude each day can help you appreciate the joy and wonder in your life. Take some time to reflect on the past year and write down your thoughts and feelings. Journaling can be a cathartic way to process emotions and appreciate the good moments. Be sure to take time for your health with daily walks or other forms of exercise. Indulging in your favorite treats is certainly part of the festivities, but overindulging can leave you fatigued, moody, even depressed. Starting the morning with a grateful heart and a walk in nature can set you up for a great day.
10. Find Your Own Awe
Not everything on this list will speak to you. And that’s okay. The most important thing you can do this holiday season is to discover a sense of awe in your own way. Set an intention to enjoy the little things. And when you can’t find awe, create your own.
Happy Holidays from your friends at Newport Healthcare!