The hustle bustle can result in people not taking care of themselves. We end up over indulging which can make our bodies and minds feel even more overwhelmed. Try to remember the things that make you feel good during the holidays. Remember that giving first to yourself will give you the energy to give more to others.

Read more for simple concrete suggestions on:

Cure for holiday blues:

Throw a potluck
Plan game night with friends
Take a holiday photo of yourself and/or with pets and loved ones
Take a child to find a Christmas tree/Hanukah bush
Make something for your neighbor
Go to a comedy club
Learn a new activity
Complete a Project.

Create your fantasy day. Most people choose something low-key to get away from the hustle bustle of the city. Remember, although the holidays are for giving, this day is all for you. You can consider it an early holiday gift for yourself. Just think about what makes your heart sing and time stand still. Give to yourself first and you will have more to give to others.

How to increase satisfaction with holiday experience:

Go to the spa or somehow nurture yourself
See a sporting event
Make a holiday decoration
Catch up on reading
Order take out instead of cooking
Get a babysitter
Go to a special dinner
Date night
Girls/guys night out

Stop looking outside of yourself to create your inner comfort. Often we look to material possessions or other people to create our peaceful feelings; and often we are left feeling dismayed or unsatisfied. Look inside of yourself to determine and create the reality you want for the holidays.

Focus on relaxing your expectations:

Notice your expectations
Encourage yourself to let go of ridged desires
Let go and don't take yourself too seriously
Remember people don't mind if you make a mistake
Spontaneous activity is a great way to connect with others

Remaining detached from a specific holiday outcome can enhance your holiday experience. We are all guilty at times of being attached to whom we spend time with, how our goals manifest, and how we are treated both professionally and personally. Being detached about everything small and large can help one feel more relaxed no matter whom they are with or where they are or what they are doing.

Broaden your perspective by remembering those who survive on so little:

Read about poverty around the world
Donate to a good cause
Volunteer to feed the homeless
Write down gratitude for what you appreciate
Challenge yourself to make do with what you have under all circumstances

Remember that overestimating the happiness of another person is the greatest source of unhappiness for oneself. Many people throughout the world are poverty stricken and would be thrilled to experience one of our worst days. It can be useful to volunteer to help those less fortunate than we are. When we sacrifice, even on a small scale is slows us down to realize how lucky we really are. Notice the small blessings and try not to take for granted what you have rather than focusing on what you wish you had.

Create meaning in your life daily and during the holiday season:

Think back to your childhood, what did you used to enjoy during the holidays?
Recreate childhood memories by passing on tradition
Teach others or learn more about why we celebrate

Remember those who came before us and how they celebrated. Compare what is the same and what is different about our experience. The Great Depression and the holocaust have taught us that people who perceive meaning in daily activity can promote life. The majority of people who survived these hard times reported abilities to create meaningful daily experiences. What feels meaningful to you during the holidays?

Kimberly Margolis, MSW, LSW, is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice who utilizes a combination of mainstream, alternative, and EMDR (eye movement desentization reprocessing) techniques to help individuals and couples to open the door to a better life. Kimberly is gifted at helping others to overcome problems, confusion, adversity, trauma, and loss. She specializes in relationships, men/women's issues, PTSD, eating disorders. She uses mind/body techniques such as meditation and visualization to encourage letting go of previous unhealthy behavior and thought patterns. "Psychotherapy promotes lasting change because it alters the connections in the client's brain...it's not a temporary, feel-good kind of change. It's permanent." By Daniel J. Siegel, Associate clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA. Please contact Kimberly with any questions or for a free therapy consultation at:

Kimberly Margolis MSW, LSW
6740 E. Hampden #307
Denver, CO 80224
Margo1270@hotmail.com
303-902-6463