5 Tactics For Coping With Trauma During The Holiday Season
If you struggle with the effects of trauma, those issues don’t magically go away during the holiday season. In fact, the extra stress of the holidays, and even certain family triggers can make your trauma symptoms worse.
As a result, you might already be dreading the season and the things that could potentially occur. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are things you can do to cope with trauma during the holiday season. When you put certain tactics in place, you can not only survive the season but thrive through it and enjoy yourself.
Not sure where to get started? Let’s look at a few of the tactics that can make a difference.
1. Set Boundaries
Before you go to a family event, holiday party, or even a get-together with friends, set personal boundaries.
If need be, talk to the people you’ll be seeing about those boundaries. You can’t control everything, but you are in charge of where you go, what you do, and the conversations you have. If the people in your life can’t respect those boundaries, they might need to take a back seat in your social circle.
2. Practice Self-Compassion
It’s not uncommon for people with trauma to feel shame and guilt. That can be especially difficult this time of year.
So, choose to be kind to yourself. Practice self-compassion each day by doing something just for you. Self-care is more than just a buzzword. It can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself. If a friend or family member was struggling with trauma, you would be compassionate with them. You owe yourself the same kind of comfort.
3. Know Your Support System
There may be people this holiday season that are triggering to you. Some might not understand what you’re going through. Others may be an integral part of your traumatic experience(s).
One of the best things you can do is recognize you’re not alone, and you don’t have to go through the season on your own. Lean on your support system and the people in your life who build you up and are always there to listen. If things get hard this season, knowing they are there to help can make it much easier to cope.
4. Recognize Your Triggers
If you know what some of your triggers are, avoid them. That might mean staying away from certain people or avoiding certain situations.
While that doesn’t mean you need to live in fear, it’s important not to overwhelm yourself. The holidays can be naturally stressful. Adding to that stress with worry and anxiety won’t help matters, and can end up making the effects of your trauma worse.
5. Maintain a Routine
The holidays can throw you off schedule quickly, which can leave you feeling uneasy and anxious. Try to keep your normal routine as much as possible, including going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day.
Maintaining your routine will provide a sense of security and control, even if other things are stressful and seem disorganized. It’s okay if you have to leave events early or say “no” to certain things to keep your routine stable. It’s just another form of self-care that will make it easier to deal with some of the “normal” holiday chaos.
If you’re still struggling with trauma and you’re worried about getting through the holiday season, use these tactics, but don’t be afraid to reach out for additional support if needed. Feel free to contact me to set up an appointment. Together, we can work on more personal practices you can use to make the season more manageable while keeping your trauma treatment on track.
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