The Idea of the Week
While this time of year is usually depicted as a joyous, merry time spent with loved ones, the busyness, high energy, and expectations for the season can become overwhelming and stressful.
It’s important for us to make sure we’re looking after ourselves as we look after our loved ones this season. So, making time for Self-Care can Make Your Holidays Feel Better (a 5-minute read) because when we make time for ourselves, we’ll have a better capacity to show up and be present for the holidays.
Practice of the Week
When we’re looking after our well-being this season, Kali Gray suggests that we engage with CARE (a 12-minute video):
- Clarity. Be clear about what your expectations and needs are in order for you to engage in work tasks.
- Ask for support. Enlist help from others to achieve your well-being goals.
- Ring fence your boundaries. Set up a “ring fence” to maintain your boundaries.
- Energize. What personally energizes you? This may mean taking a nap, winding down and relaxing in the comforts of your home, or going out and being around other people.
In this 17-minute video, Jen Lefforge shares how she plans to engage with self-care during the holidays, so she can avoid burnout, a crash after the high energy of the holidays, or an autoimmune disease flare-up. She offers these points to consider:
- What do you tend to neglect in terms of your well-being?
- How will you tend to these aspects of your well-being?
- Schedule recovering days or times into your calendar.
- Have conversations with your loved ones about your boundaries, expectations, and needs.
How will you engage in self-care this season? Let us know on our Instagram or Facebook page!
Meditation of the Week
When we experience stress, sleep hygiene may be the first self-care activity that we tend to neglect. So this week, Caitlin offers this 5-minute guided meditation on sleep to help you ground and still your thoughts before you go to sleep.
News of the Week
This is your gentle reminder: You are NOT a grinch. You’re in grief. Check out last week’s newsletter about grief during the holidays in case you missed it!
This is your friendly reminder that we offer low-cost therapy options. Caitlin Raab and Kayla Hamilton offer individual therapy on a sliding scale. Read their blurbs below to learn more about what they offer!
Caitlin Raab (she/her) approaches sessions with a focus on introspection, mindfulness, and relaxation strategies. She also focuses on parent and post-partum support, child and teen mental health, and anxiety management.
To learn more about Caitlin, check out her page at breathingspacepsychotherapy.com/caitlin!
Kayla Hamilton (she/her) has an eclectic approach and, most importantly, approaches sessions with where you are at. She focuses on anxiety, life changes and transitions, adolescents and teens, and communication issues.
To learn more about Kayla, check out her page at breathingspacepsychotherapy.com/kayla!
Yoga Classes
Would you be interested in attending a yoga class at the Breathing Space Studio in Erieville? Let us know by filling out this short survey!
The Thought of the Week
Wishing you a peaceful week!
