VIDEO: Got the Holiday Blues? Here Are 8 Easy Ways to Fix That!

Christmas carols, warm hugs, and hot cocoa by the fire are just a few of the many reasons to consider the holidays the most wonderful time of the year. But let’s be real—mounting gift receipts, sensitive family dynamics, and for a lot of people, constant reminders of loneliness can also make this the most depressing time of the year.

Before that statement takes you down a spiral of sadness, snap out of that thinking and focus on wellness coach Jennifer Partridge. In this video, she offers easy ways to practice positivity all day, every day—and especially during the holidays.

1. Forgive yourself + others:

First of all, holding onto resentment is the quickest way to zap your energy. Forgiveness goes a long way in shifting your mood in the long run, and it can even promote good heart health and make you jump higher! (Watch out, Blake Griffin.)

2. Practice acceptance:

‘Tis the season of wanting everything you don’t have, which Partridge says can put you in a state of constant pain. Be cool with wherever you and others are in life. When you focus on acceptance and gratitude, more and more of it will continue to flow freely into your life—that’s one way to live a “sustainable” lifestyle.

3. Post up positive affirmations:

The cheapest and easiest way to rewire your brain to focus on more positive thoughts like forgiveness, acceptance, and gratitude? A pen and post-its! Jot down affirmations and post them around the house.

4. Take care of your body:

Eating the right foods and taking the right supplements helps revitalize the mind.

5: Inspire yourself:

Never forget to feed your soul. Every once in a while, take a step back from your responsibilities and address this essential need by dedicating time to any hobby that makes you feel vibrant and inspired.

6: Make a gratitude diary:

Take five to 10 minutes every morning to write down everything you love and appreciate about your life—clean water, a loving partner, the roof over your head. With your attention on gratitude, more thankfulness flows!

7: Smile + laugh:

If all else fails (don’t worry, it won’t!), fake it till you make it. Studies have shown that forcing a smile, even in the most upsetting circumstances, can help ease stress as well as create happiness by releasing endorphins and serotonin.

8: Perfect your posture:

Partridge notes that the brain takes its cues from the body. Instead of drooping your shoulders, roll them back to open up your heart and encourage positive emotions to come in and beam out.

Press play to learn more about all the little things you can do to ditch negativity and have a healthy and happy holiday and beyond.

Video credits
Produced and Directed by: Liza Glucoft
Director of Photography: Naeem Munaf
Editor: Stephanie Provence