As much as we love the adorned trees that seemingly pop up everywhere just after Thanksgiving, the American Psychological Association conducted a survey that showed more than 35 percent of people feel heightened emotions during the holidays, with fatigue and stress topping the list of negative emotions. Everyone experiences stress around the holidays, even life coaches! The number one thing life coaches need to remember is that not all clients are walking into December with excitement or positive feelings. There are common stressors that often come up during coaching sessions around this time of year, and having some tips in your toolbelt can help you help your clients not just survive but thrive during the holidays.
Take The Stress Out of Preparations
Many individuals get stuck in a perfectionist mindset during the holidays, especially when hosting or entertaining. The pressure to buy the perfect gift for a loved one can also leave people feeling overwhelmed. However, we need to remind our clients that the need to be perfect is unattainable. Perfectionism can’t be achieved, and moving into the holidays with this mindset can cause anxiety, fatigue, depression, and lead to over-indulgence in eating and drinking alcohol. Life coaches can help their clients avoid burnout by setting goals and boundaries in advance. This planning encourages asking for help from others and positive self-talk. Working with clients to establish ahead of time what is reasonable, giving them the tools to stick to it, and holding them accountable can help them come through the holidays without being completed depleted. Just predetermining how many holiday events to attend sets boundaries, allowing clients to accept or decline with greater freedom and confidence!
Keep Emotions in Check
Spending time with family, going home, and traveling can stir up strong emotions. The weeks leading up to the holidays are an excellent opportunity to work with clients to practice awareness of those feelings. Clients can note when they feel these intense emotions, what triggers them, and then work with clients to find ways to work through those emotions during holiday gatherings.
Some tried-and-true practices many clients choose to practice over the holidays are mediation, spending time outside and in nature, and scheduling breaks to ensure time is set aside for self-care. Taking steps to reduce stress and having practices in place can reduce anxiety and improve feelings of happiness.
Celebration in Moderation
Let’s face it, the holidays can be a time of great temptation to over-indulge. Holiday parties and gatherings often feature alcohol and almost always an abundance of food. Health and wellness coaches will be required to help their clients navigate this time of abundance and help keep them on the track they are working towards. Aligning goals includes considering the clear and present temptations that will arise, and setting goals and boundaries ahead of time can help protect against being caught off guard. If they know something that will be available and difficult to avoid, they may choose to skip it this year. If the commitment stands, equip them with the tools they need to resist.
Overindulgence in alcohol should be avoided. Excessive drinking can lead to situations where they may regret, or words are spoken that they wish hadn’t come out. Coaches should encourage clients to stick to their goals and avoid excessive drinking or eating. Coaches can help clients set activity goals to adhere to during the holidays, which can help keep the body healthy and strong. Activity is incredibly effective at elevating mood and keeping the mind clear. Get creative, coaches! Use this special time to empower clients. Maybe this year, your client will initiate a neighborhood family walk after a meal. Or scheduling a volunteer opportunity for anyone who wants to participate, or a family time together for gift-wrapping. The sky is the limit, and giving your clients ideas that work for their unique situation will help them thrive during the holiday craziness!
Maintain Balance and Health
If your clients are traveling, get them thinking about how they can boost their immune system before taking planes, trains, and automobiles. ‘Tis the season for the cold and flu, so preparing by strengthening the immune system can help fight off sickness. December is the best time to start preparing, so give your clients time to make a plan, then ask how it is going in your sessions and adjust as needed.
It is so easy to get out of healthy habits during the holidays – the demands on our time can become an excuse to skip the gym or get less rest. However, the holiday hangover is real, and we want to spare our clients that misery. As a life coach, this is the ideal time to start having these conversations with your clients. Our goal is for our clients to have the best holiday, stick to their goals, and become a more confident, empowered version of themselves.
If you want to become a life coach or are considering a specialty certification, there is no better place to do that than with Life Purpose Institute. Contact us today for a free consultation!
