protecting your peace over the holidays

The most “wonderful time of the year” can also be one of the most stressful times of the year, with family gatherings, holiday parties, travel, and busy schedules. We often find clients feel overwhelmed and neglect their own self-care when they’re constantly on the go. Setting boundaries is an important way to protect your energy and peace while enjoying the holiday season.

When you set and uphold your boundaries, you are sending a message to yourself that your time, energy, and feelings are valuable and should be respected. Communicating your boundaries to others also helps you foster meaningful, mutually fulfilling relationships with the people around you. Nurturing the relationship you have with yourself and others will help you discover more joy, peace, and connection during the holiday season.

Here are a few of our favorite tips on boundary setting.

Identify your needs. Get clear on what will allow you to feel comfortable and safe during the holidays. This might include avoiding certain topics of conversation or even taking a break from socializing to recharge. We find that people often feel pressured to attend all of the holiday parties and ensure they are seeing as many people as possible on a visit back to their hometown. This could be completely draining, so it’s important to know what your limits are and remember it’s okay to say no. The most important person you have to show up for is yourself.

Establish expectations in advance. Setting boundaries can be difficult, especially when it comes to family members who may not understand or respect your needs. But opening the lines of communication around boundaries can enable everyone to feel comfortable and have clear expectations for being together. Once you’ve identified your needs, communicate them to your loved ones. For example, if you book a flight to leave or arrive a day later than expected, you can let any family who is hosting you know in advance. Whenever you feel like your boundaries aren’t being respected by others, just remember to hold firm in your needs, even if at times that means removing yourself from the situation. This could help them re-establish their own expectations about your time together.

Prioritize self-care during the holidays. Making self-care a priority can also help you manage stress and stick to the boundaries you’ve set. By protecting your energy, you can maintain balance and peace of mind, which may help you feel more capable of handling potential challenges you may encounter.

If you need to take a break from socializing, try to include that in your holiday plans too. Also, consider adding your usual self-care routine into your plans first before creating a schedule jam-packed with other items. You can block off time in your calendar, or add buffer time between events, to create space for you to protect and nurture your needs.

By understanding your needs, communicating them, and setting clear boundaries, you can enjoy the holiday season in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to you.

Have a happy holiday season!

THERAPY SERVICES FOR ANXIETY WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

The truth is, there’s no single or one-size-fits-all approach to anxiety treatment. Everyone has a different approach to managing anxiety and anxious thoughts. That is why it’s important to get clear on what works for you. Once you have a better understanding of yourself and your values, you can start designing your life based on the things that are most important to you. 

Therapy for women in Manhattan and Brooklyn is a great way to figure out how to manage your anxious mind. At Manhattan Wellness, we will provide you with a safe space to explore your feelings and goals. So you can find clarity on what you want for yourself. We will pair your vulnerability with our empathy and encouragement. Then together we will uncover the key elements that will take you from where you are now to where you want to be. If you are ready to make the changes you want in your life:

1. Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
2. Learn More About Our Team of Female Therapists and Our Areas of Expertise
3. Let’s Talk About How We Can Help You Feel Empowered & Ready To Take The Next Step. 

We believe that you have the power within yourself to make the changes you want and find your version of success. Our female therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey. Allowing you to reclaim your identity and take control of your life. Thus allowing you to create the future you’ve been dreaming of.

OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED IN MANHATTAN, WESTCHESTER BROOKLYN, & THROUGHOUT NEW YORK

At Manhattan Wellness, our therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey and reclaiming your identity. So you can take control of your life and create the future you’ve been dreaming of. This is why we offer a variety of services to ensure you get the support, care, and guidance necessary. The therapy services we offer are Therapy for Maternal Mental Health, Self-Esteem Counseling, and Anxiety Treatment. Along with Dating/Relationship Counseling, Counseling for College Students, and more. Feel as if you are not living the life you deserve? Let’s talk about it.