Preparing for the Holidays – Part 1

This post starts a series to highlight how we can emotionally prepare ourselves for the holidays. Much has been written about holidays and family interactions involving the emotional ups and downs that sometimes arise during the holidays. This year we face the dilemma for many of us that we cannot travel to be with our loved ones. The feeling of loss can lead to other feelings that can bubble up which can lead to unpredicted behaviors. We also face ongoing worries about the increasing number of COVID cases throughout much of the world.

Dr. Eugene Beresin, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School shares his thoughts on the holidays in his article on the empty chairs at the holiday table. After reflecting upon Dr. Beresin’s strategies, think about reviewing your wellness toolkit that includes PERMAH and the Character Strengths to see which “tools” you can engage in the coming weeks to support your well-being.

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash