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Gratitude and Protecting Your Well-Being During the Holidays

Blissful Health & Harmony
GRATITUDE AND PROTECTING YOUR WELL-BEING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

By: Naomi Dicus, CHC AFMC | November 7, 2024

The holidays bring warmth, traditions, and opportunities to reflect on what we’re thankful for. But let’s be honest here, for many moms, it can also come with a whirlwind of stress, family obligations, and the emotional toll of navigating relationships—especially with toxic family members. We are the beautiful glue that holds together most family gatherings. During this busy time, balancing gratitude with self-care becomes vital to protect your emotional and physical health.By combining gratitude with practical self-care, you can foster inner peace and protect your sanity during the holidays.

The Science Behind Gratitude and Health

Gratitude, at its core, is the practice of recognizing and appreciating the good in your life. They can be minor wins like NOT getting barfed on before you have your coffee, or getting to take an uninterrupted shower. But beyond the emotional uplift of gratitude, science shows that it can also have profound effects on physical health.

Reduces Stress and Improves Mental Health: Studies show that gratitude activates the brain's reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help reduce stress and anxiety, leading to a more positive outlook. When you’re consistently grateful, it shifts your focus away from negative thinking and stress, allowing you to approach challenges with greater resilience, while training your brain with new habits and skills.

For moms, who often bear the mental and emotional load of caregiving and carrying the world on our shoulder, gratitude can be a powerful tool in managing stress. It allows you to reframe your perspective, especially during hectic holiday moments, and helps prevent burnout. By focusing on what you're thankful for—whether it's the laughter of your children, a warm home, or a small moment of joy—you can lighten the mental burdens of everyday life.

Supports Hormone Balance: Chronic stress can lead to imbalances in your hormones, particularly when cortisol —the body’s primary stress hormone “steals” from your other vital hormones, including thyroid and your sex hormones. Over time, elevated cortisol levels can disrupt sleep, interfere with digestion, and worsen mood swings, to name a few. By practicing gratitude regularly, you can lower cortisol levels and promote hormonal balance. This is particularly important during the holiday season when stress levels tend to spike, and the combination of planning, shopping, and managing family dynamics can overwhelm even the most organized moms.

Boosts Immune Function and Physical Health: Gratitude has been shown to improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and enhance immune function. When you’re in a state of gratitude, your body enters a more relaxed state, releasing relaxed hormones, allowing it to recover from stress and build resilience. Staying healthy during the holidays is critical as you juggle family responsibilities.

Utilize Relatives and Leave ‘em with the Kiddos: Hey, here’s an idea, take advantage of those eager grandparents and great aunts. Get yourself out of the house and do something to take care of yourself --get your nails done, a massage, or a much-needed date night out with your partner!

Protecting Yourself from Toxic Family Members During the Holidays:

While gratitude can help shift your mindset, it doesn’t mean you should allow toxic family dynamics to drain your energy. Dealing with difficult family members can be emotionally exhausting, especially during the holidays when emotions run high. Here are some important strategies to protect yourself and preserve your sanity while navigating toxic relationships.

Set Clear Boundaries: One of the most important things you can do when dealing with toxic family members is to set boundaries. Decide ahead of time what behaviors or conversations are unacceptable and make a plan with your partner to enforce those boundaries, and do it together. This might mean limiting the amount of time you spend with certain relatives, excusing yourself from triggering conversations, or politely declining invitations that feel too overwhelming.

Setting boundaries isn’t about being harsh; it’s about protecting your mental health and ensuring you can enjoy the holidays without unnecessary stress.

Limit Exposure and Interaction: If spending time with toxic family members is unavoidable, try to limit your exposure. You don’t have to stay for hours at every gathering—short, intentional visits can help preserve your energy. Plan for breaks during family events, whether it’s a quick walk outside or a few minutes of quiet time in another room. Limiting your time with toxic individuals helps reduce emotional drain and keeps you grounded.

Lean into Your Support System and Self-Care: Have a support system in place before heading into family gatherings. Whether it’s a partner, friend, a therapist, or even a good book, having someone you can vent to or lean on can make all the difference.

Amid the holiday chaos, self-care is crucial. Whether it’s making time for a favorite activity, ensuring you get enough rest, or treating yourself to a few moments of quiet reflection, take steps to nurture your well-being. Practicing gratitude during your self-care routine can amplify its effects, reminding you that caring for yourself is not selfish—it’s necessary for your health.

Blending Gratitude and Boundaries for a Healthier Holiday

As the holiday season approaches, practicing gratitude can offer an emotional anchor to help manage stress and foster resilience. However, protecting yourself from toxic family dynamics is equally important to your well-being. By combining gratitude with healthy boundaries, you can navigate the holidays with a sense of balance, peace, and joy.

Gratitude doesn’t mean accepting negativity—it means focusing on what uplifts and empowers you. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of gratitude and self-care, and enjoy the peace that comes with protecting your energy and focusing on what truly matters.

Naomi Dicus is a dedicated Functional Medicine practitioner specializing in women's health and natural conception. Based in Sausalito, California, she brings over 20 years of corporate finance experience in the tech industry to her practice at Bliss Point Health, where she has transitioned her career to holistic wellness and nutrition. Naomi's extensive education includes a Business degree and certifications from the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and the School of Applied Functional Medicine.

Her methodical approach to health emphasizes the importance of diet, lifestyle, stress management, and balancing the endocrine system. She utilizes real food, supplements, and holistic techniques, backed by strategic use of lab work to address root causes of health issues as well as a woman’s personal experience. Naomi is passionate about empowering her clients to achieve optimal health through tailored wellness plans that respect their unique bio-individuality.

She travels often with her family and enjoys yoga, hiking, riding horses, languages, and cooking.