As we enter into the Thanksgiving holiday next week, this holiday can evoke many emotions, memories, and potentially hardship for many people. Some of the best things we can do for ourselves is to offer ourselves an abundance of self-compassion and practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is our ability to attune to the present moment, without judgment. When we are mindful, we are better able to savor our here-and-now moments, be fully engaged in our lives, and help regulate our nervous system. Here are a few ways to be mindful during this holiday season.
Consider Your Intention For The Day and Meal
Setting an intention for Thanksgiving requires introspection and awareness. I invite you to get curious and approach these questions with compassion and tenderness.
Ask yourself: How can I be present? What do I want to remember about this day and holiday? Who am I able to safely connect with? Who might I need to set boundaries with?
If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, this holiday may feel particularly difficult. I invite you to set an intention for your day when you wake up. I encourage you to follow your meal plan recommended by your dietitian. Also, try to nourish your body adequately throughout the day and lean on your support people if needed.
By setting these intentions ahead of the holiday, you are better able to be more present and mindful of what you would like your holiday to look like and you can be present with yourself, surroundings, and loved ones.
Set Supportive Boundaries
There are many different boundaries that may come up during this holiday. Whether it’s with loved ones, conversations, alcohol, or your time, it is important to begin considering what you would like to set boundaries around. Boundaries give us permission to be fully ourselves in the presence of others. Think about boundaries as this idea of, “This is where I end and you begin.”
If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, perhaps a boundary you would like to set is setting a boundary around diet culture comments that are made. You are allowed to ask for others to not comment on your plate of food, body, or other areas that may make you feel uncomfortable. Perhaps you are newly sober or curious about sobriety; you may want to refrain from drinking alcohol. If you’d like to learn more about fostering a healthier relationship with alcohol, listen to the Becoming Anchored Examining Your Relationship with Alcohol with Amanda White podcast episode.
Perhaps you find it best when you allot a certain amount of time with family over the holidays. You may find it helpful to give yourself permission to leave after a certain amount of hours.
Throughout this process of evaluating our boundary system, we are practicing mindfulness and attunement to ourselves.
Create Pockets of Peace
Another beautiful way to practice mindfulness is by checking in with yourself. Get curious about your emotional state and be intentional about what you might need.
Ask yourself: Do I need a break? Do I need to step outside and feel the cold air on my face? What are my physical sensations? What am I feeling? What may I be needing at this moment?
When we take a moment to pause and get curious to see what we may need, we are giving ourselves pockets of peace and practicing self-compassion.
However your mindfulness may look this Thanksgiving, I invite you to try one of these ways and I hope it allows you to enjoy this holiday with more ease and peace.
Compassionate Affirmation: “I let go of stress and embrace the peace of this season.”
Additional Resource: Holiday Eating Disorder Recovery Guide –If you are feeling heightened emotions or fear around the holiday season, you are not alone. We created this thorough guide to support recovery for emotional health, family concerns, sobriety, boundaries, eating disorders, and body image concerns. This comprehensive and compassionate guide also includes: Affirmations and mantras, mindfulness practices, easy-to-understand psychoeducation, and more. You can download your free guide here.
Becoming Anchored in Hope,
Laura
LPC-MHSP, CEDS-C, ACS, NCC
Owner + Director
Laura is committed to guiding individuals along their path to mental wellness and has carefully gathered a team of skilled, knowledgeable, and committed therapists at Anchored Counseling Co. to assist in this mission.
The professionals here create an environment that is supportive and affirmed, informed by an understanding of trauma. At Anchored Counseling Co., there’s a shared belief in the fundamental worth of each person, and therapy is delivered with warmth and empathy. The therapeutic philosophy here is built on the premise that every client has the natural ability to enact meaningful and enduring change in their life.
To connect with a therapist who aligns with your unique needs, please contact our office at 615.510.3797 or contact us here.
