Coping with Disappointment During the Holidays

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Taking Care Of Yourself When You Don’t Have Holiday Cheer

The holidays have a way of bringing up stuff that doesn’t always evoke the holiday cheer others may expect from you. 

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For most people, the holiday times involve gathering friends and family together, giving thanks, spreading joy, and thinking about fresh starts (the new year’s resolution stress).

For others, it can bring up old memories, negative thoughts about self, or stress when having to be around family. 

Keep reading for tips to help get you through the holiday season.

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I am an online anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and I virtual anxiety treatment to clients located in Maryland and North Carolina. 

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Keep reading for tips to help you get through the holiday season.

5 Ways to Cope with Disappointment During The Holidays

Not feeling in the fa-la-la-la-la spirit this holiday season?

You are not alone. For a lot of people, the holiday season can bring up a lot of feelings, especially stress, sadness, anxiety, and disappointment.

Listed below are a few ways to help you cope with feelings of disappointment during the holiday season.




Helpful Tip #1 to Cope with Disappointment During the Holidays: Check your pressure

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The holidays can be a time when you put a lot of pressure on yourself to have the "perfect" holiday season. 

You might feel like you need to buy the perfect gifts, make the perfect holiday meal, or just generally be in a good mood all the time. However, it's important to remember that nobody is perfect and that the holiday season is not about being perfect. 

If you find yourself getting stressed out or disappointed during the holidays, try to take a step back.


Helpful Tip #2 to Cope with Disappointment During the Holidays: Check your expectations

Another way to avoid disappointment during the holidays is to be realistic about your expectations. 

If you're expecting everything to go perfectly, you're likely to be disappointed when things don't go as planned. 

Instead, try to focus on the things that are most important to you and let go of the rest.


Helpful Tip #3 to Cope with Disappointment During the Holidays: Seek out your supports

One of the best ways to cope with disappointment during the holidays is to spend time with loved ones. 

Whether you're spending time with family, friends, or your significant other, being surrounded by people who care about you can help you feel better when things aren't going as planned.


Helpful Tip #4 to Cope with Disappointment During the Holidays: Give back

Another way to cope with disappointment during the holidays is to do something nice for someone else. 

Whether you volunteer your time at a local charity or simply buy a gift for someone you know, doing something nice for someone else can help take your mind off of your stuff and increase your self-esteem and compassion.


Helpful Tip #5 to Cope with Disappointment During the Holidays: Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is key. 

When experiencing disappointment or any other difficult feelings, make sure you also bring in some self-compassion too. It’s important to be able to offer yourself some grace and kindness in the hard times. 

Learn ways to increase self-compassion.

Anxiety Therapy in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling

Stress, anxiety, and depression can be a big part of the holidays for some and can make it difficult to care for yourself. 

There is support available to help you through the holiday season.

I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy when working with my clients. ACT therapy is a helpful style of therapy and can be used to address most stressors and challenges.


Could Acceptance and Commitment Therapy be helpful for you?

Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:

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  1. Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation

  2. Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation

  3. Meet with your anxiety therapist

  4. Start enjoying life

 

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I love working exclusively with high achievers and entrepreneurs.

I understand the challenges and struggles that come with being a high achiever and entrepreneur.

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If this sounds relatable, check out the helpful services at Calm Waters Counseling, listed below:

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Online Anxiety Therapy in North Carolina

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Online therapy is effective, convenient, and flexible to meet your demands and needs. 

Learn more about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy online.


If online therapy seems like a good option for you, click the links below to learn more about online counseling where you live.

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Click below to get more of your questions answered.

 

Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C

Laura RippeonCalm Waters Counseling PLLC