The year 2020 has been a hectic one for all of us due to the pandemic. During a normal year, many people are able to travel and be with loved ones but not everyone is as lucky this holiday season. For some, it has been an easy adjustment but for others the lack of family time has been a struggle. Though it may be hard to fight this feeling of isolation, it is important to find the positives in every situation. Don’t let the holiday blues control you instead actively pursue joy in your life to come overcome it!
Using The Broaden‐And‐Build Theory To Fight The Holiday Blues
You may be asking, what is the Broaden-and-Build Theory? Well, this theory is defined as the psychological effects positive emotions have on one’s well-being and how positive thoughts expand our awareness that are not available when experiencing negativity. Barbara Fredrickson, a psychology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded this theory and has expressed the importance of keeping a positive attitude during the roughest points in our life. “Broadened mindsets arise from positivity, [a] contrast to the narrowed mindsets sparked by many negative emotions” stated Fredrickson. This theory is important to keep in mind, especially for those who are dreading the holidays this year. If you focus on all of the negative aspects of life, you will become less willing to say yes to different experiences that may come your way. Yes- you might not be able to travel this year and visit family due to Covid-19, but many other opportunities for joy and happiness will present themselves. Who knows, you may end up creating new traditions and having one of the best holiday seasons yet!
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So how do you embrace positivity during such an unknown time? Here are a few tips that will help you fight the holiday blues and bring up your mood!
Tips On How To Fight The Holiday Blues
- Take up a New Hobby you have Always Wanted to Try
If you are experiencing loneliness during the holidays, don’t be afraid to try something new that you would enjoy. Attempt to take on a new hobby such as painting, reading, or participating in virtual workout classes. The more activities that you perform that give you joy, the less you will feel the holiday blues.
- Have Video Chats with Friends and Family Over Zoom
With technology being such a central part of our everyday lives, it is easy to connect with people from all over the world. If you are experiencing loneliness this time of year, do not be afraid to reach out to those around you and set up video calls. Zoom and Skype are just two of many platforms you can use to connect with those you care about. Set up a meeting and tell your friends a theme for the get together! This will not only make your day, but your families and friends as well.
- Think of Five Good Things that Happened to you at the End of Every Day
It is difficult to think of all of the positives in life when you are experiencing the holiday blues. Instead of letting these negative thoughts control you, make an effort to fight this sadness with positivity. Every night before you go to bed, write down five good things that have happened to you throughout the day. Some of these things can be as simple as seeing your dog in the morning, ordering your favorite meal for delivery, and waking up to start a new day. Overtime, this positivity will take over the negative thoughts you experience during the holidays.
Please Remember That You Are Loved Even When You Experience Loneliness. Have A Great Week!
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Source:
Fredrickson BL. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2004;359(1449):1367-1378. doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1512
To your Joy and Health,
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
This blog post was written by Bailee Richman, Dietetics Student from the University of Maryland
