2020 Home for the Holidays

Page 40 2020 Home for the Holidays LINCOLN DAILY NEWS November 25, 2020 was recently published and is available at Small Town Creations and on Amazon. Ideas for personal improvement: Journaling If you struggle with negative feelings, reflecting on and recording your personal thoughts may help you to recognize triggers that lead to anxiety, stress and depression. To turn that around, write a mission statement about your dreams and goals—“My mission in life is . . .” Ideas for relational improvement Reach out Reaching out to others reduces a sense of isolation. In a Mayo Clinic article ‘Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping,’ it says, “If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events or communities. Many may have websites, online support groups, social media sites or virtual events. They can offer support and companionship.” Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or Marco Polo can also help you connect with people. While gatherings this holiday season are restricted, consider doing a video chat through one of these networks. Phone calls are another good way to connect to people. When you are talking to friends or family on the phone, you can interview them, hear stories you have never heard about them and learn more about their lives. Correspond through email with someone in another country, missionaries, former exchange students, and work contacts. To stay in touch in a low-tech manner, write letters or send Christmas cards to friends and family. Letters not only consume some time, but give you an opportunity to reflect on the good things that have happened and share remembrances, and who doesn’t hold on to cards with pictures and messages to be remembered again at a later time. Magic happens when you put pen to paper. Other ideas for cultivating relationships Find more ways to have fun with the family: Play board games together. Do an indoor scavenger hunt hiding various items around the house. Work on a giant puzzle together. Play online trivia or online video games with friends. Decorate your tree and house early for a little extra joy this year. Make a game of finding hidden Christmas presents by writing out clues to find them. Continued n