How Holiday Traditions Can Promote Wellbeing

As humans, we have an innate need to connect and interact with others through community or on an individual level. The holidays bring with them traditions and festivities that span generations, cultures, and religions. Whether you’re decorating a Christmas tree with your family, going ice skating with your friends, or taking part in a community event, social connection is a foundational piece of many holiday traditions. The holiday season can positively impact our mental health and wellbeing through both rituals from past generations and creating new traditions with friends and family. 

Here are some ways our holiday traditions can promote our wellbeing!

• Provides us with a sense of belonging and connection

  Participating in shared activities and traditions strengthens our relationships with our friends and family as well as our relationship with ourselves. Feeling connected to those around us provides us with a sense of safety, security and belonging. 

• Reduces our cortisol levels

  Engaging in relaxing activities allows our nervous system to regulate and our levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, to drop.

• Encourages gratitude

  This time of year encourages us to take time to think about the good things in our lives, whether it be friends, family, or our careers, which fosters feelings of gratitude.

• Releases oxytocin

  Spending time with loved ones can trigger the release of oxytocin, the feel good hormone that leads to feelings of happiness, attachment, and security.

• Provides opportunities to give back

  While the intention of giving back is to help others, it can also increase our self-esteem and provide us with a sense of purpose. 

• Creates positive memories

  Engaging in holiday traditions gives us the opportunity to create positive memories. It also allows us to reflect on past holidays and experience the nostalgia and joy that accompanies those memories. 

• Allows us to relax

  Many holiday traditions, such as baking cookies, writing holiday cards, or visiting a holiday market, can urge us to slow down, be present, and relax. 

In order to experience the mental health benefits of the holidays, it’s important to:

• Set boundaries

  No matter how you’re spending the holiday season, it’s likely you’re out of your normal routine. Setting boundaries with friends, family, and work can help you make the most of your time away from your normal day to day. 

• Practice self-care

  Practicing self-care can look like maintaining a balanced diet, moving our bodies every day, taking a bath, or simply doing the dishes before bed so you wake up to a clean space in the morning. 

• Prioritize sleep

  Many of us have time off from our chaotic schedules over the holidays. Using this time to prioritize sleep allows us to return to our normal routine feeling well-rested. 

• Manage expectations

  Recognizing that not every moment over the holidays will be perfect can prevent feelings of disappointment and stress. 

• Slow down

  Slowing down allows us to be present and fully engaged in our holiday activities and traditions.

• Practice gratitude

  Taking time to think about the good things in our lives fosters feelings of peace and contentment. 

• Recognize your feelings

  The holidays bring up a large range of emotions for many people. It’s important to pause to recognize how you’re feeling. 

The holidays can bring up a wide range of emotions from joy to grief. If you need some extra support during and after the holiday season, reach out to one of our SGTG clinicians today!

Sydney Gideon, LCSW

About the Author

Sydney Gideon, LCSW is a clinical social worker specializing in trauma & PTSD, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder. She incorporates EMDR, CBT, and Trauma-Informed Therapy into her treatment. Read more about Sydney here.