Visiting Family Without Getting Completely Devastated

Many of us feel anxiety as the holidays approach.

Instead of just being in the anxiety spin, try this exercise:

1. In the days and weeks leading up to that family visit, really pay attention to the beauty and abundance of this life that you have cultivated for your self.⁣

2. Open your eyes and open your heart when you are here, now, with your family of choice, and your community of choice. Take in the energy, the support, the love.⁣

3. Let it cushion your heart.⁣

That way, when you are with family, even though the triggers will happen, the impact will be a lot less strenuous to your nervous system.

Because you will have the energy that you “stored away” to prevent a total crash. This energy will cushion the fall and serve to keep you grounded in the life you have chosen for yourself.

For more tips and tools, see:

Self-Care Tool Kit for Family Visits

Checking Our Internal Narratives Before Visiting Family

Self-Care Travel Kit For Family Visits

When preparing for a visit to family, here’s a self-care routine you can pack and take with you.
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Create your self-care travel kit with these simple items:⁣

1.Tea light or candle⁣
2.Palo santo or sage for cleansing⁣
3.Crystal (smoky quartz is great for grounding)⁣
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Morning Grounding:⁣
Before you step out of your room for the day, take a minute to center.

1.Light a candle. ⁣
2.Light the sage or palo santo. ⁣
3. Circle it over the body one time from head to toe visualizing release of negative energy. ⁣
4.Second circle over body: draw in positive, grounding energy.⁣
5.Hold the crystal.⁣
6.Observe your inhale and exhale 5-10 times.⁣
**For optimal results, repeat right before bed.⁣
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Self-care throughout the day :⁣

1.Take breaks between family time. Sneak off to Starbucks and just reset.⁣
2.Take mini-breathing breaks (same as #6 above). Notice your breath for 5-10 rounds throughout the day.⁣
3.Reconnect with nature (whether snow or sun, wherever your family might be).⁣
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**If you’re new to any of this, it’s all good! Start immediately, build some connection to these tools then pack ‘em up and take ‘em with you. They want to support you. They are always here for you.⁣

For more tips and tools, see:

Checking Our Internal Narratives Before Visiting Family

Visiting Family Without Getting Completely Devastated