Home for the Holidays: Prioritizing Emotional Wellbeing During Holiday Stress
The holiday season often brings a mix of joy, connection, and celebration. Yet for many, it can also introduce stress, fatigue, and emotional strain. Balancing family expectations, social gatherings, and personal responsibilities can leave little room for rest and reflection. At Behavioral Wellness Group, we recognize the importance of maintaining emotional wellbeing during this busy time of year.
To help you navigate the season with greater ease, here are three key strategies inspired by Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to support emotional balance and resilience:
1. Embrace Mindfulness
Take time each day to pause and check in with yourself. Mindfulness practices—such as deep breathing, grounding exercises, or meditation—help center your thoughts and regulate emotions. Even a few minutes of intentional stillness can reduce stress and enhance clarity. Consider starting your morning with a mindful breath, pausing before meals, or taking a quiet walk to reconnect with the present moment.
2. Practice Radical Acceptance
The holidays are rarely perfect, and that’s part of their beauty. Radical acceptance encourages you to acknowledge reality as it is, without judgment. It’s natural to feel a range of emotions—gratitude, sadness, joy, or frustration. Allow those feelings to surface, flow through you, and then gently let them go. Accepting imperfection allows you to move forward with greater peace and authenticity.
3. Set Boundaries that Prioritize Self-Care
Amid the many invitations and obligations of the season, remember that it’s okay to say no. Protecting your time and energy helps prevent emotional burnout. You might limit the number of events you attend, delegate responsibilities, or create quiet moments for rest and reflection. Setting boundaries is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of emotional strength and self-awareness.
As the leaves change and frost begins to settle in, nature reminds us that change is constant. Each season offers an opportunity for renewal and growth. This holiday season, give yourself permission to slow down, connect meaningfully, and nurture your emotional wellbeing.
Cathryn E. Knezevich, M.Ed., PCC
Therapist and DBT IOP Director
The Behavioral Wellness Group
8224 Mentor Ave #208 Mentor OH 44060
P: 440 392 2222 #304 F: 440 565 2349
cknezevich@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
www.behavioralwellnessgroup.com