The holidays are often emotionally charged (with happiness and excitement, sadness and loneliness, and everything in between), and emotionally charged times can be draining for highly sensitive people. To enjoy these festive times and stay in balance, here are a handful of tips to help.

Tip #1: Do Energetic Holiday Prep. 

Holiday preparations aren’t just about cooking, decorating and shopping for gifts. Before the season starts, and especially before going into potentially draining situations (such as holiday shopping, work parties, and family get togethers), try these tips:

Make sure your energy is at full capacity so you’re better equipped to deal with emotions or stress. Fill up your energy ahead of time by getting plenty of sleep, drinking water, eating good foods, taking time for yourself, etc.

Keep a positive attitude. Where your attention goes, energy flows, so make sure you keep a positive outlook and attitude. Look forward to connecting with those you care about and celebrating the season.

Plan to limit the time you spend. Give yourself an “out”, letting the host/hostess know ahead of time you need to leave at a certain time to make another appointment, etc.

Diffuse essential oils that relax or enliven you. Create a spritz bottle combining several drops of an essential oil of your choice (citrus for lifting your spirits, myrrh or patchouli for grounding and calming)  in spring or distilled water. Spray before going into the situation or during as needed (and as is socially acceptable). 

Tip #2: Limit Your Energy Intake

You can limit some of the energy you take in during this emotionally charged time of year to help you have healthy boundaries and avoid getting drained with these tricks.

Wear a hat or scarf. Covering your head and/or neck helps limit the amount of energy you take in, not to mention adding a festive feel to holiday outings through your accessories. 

Stand with your back against a wall at parties, in stores, and more to restrict the energy input. When you only have to deal with energy coming at you at 180 degrees rather than 360 degrees, it can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.

Return to sender. If you feel unwanted emotions coming from people this holiday season, take a second to send it back. Just say “return to sender” and picture the energy as a boomerang going back to its owner to handle. Don’t worry if you don’t know who it’s from–just return it. No receipt required!

Tip #3: Shift Your Energy 

When you find your energy getting bogged down by holiday stresses, try these easy ways to shift your energy in the moment to lighten your load and recharge your batteries:

Take a break from festivities as needed. Sometimes even the shortest break from overwhelming energy will quickly uncloud your brain and recharge your batteries. Pardon yourself from a gathering to get something from your car, take a short walk, or even use the restroom for a quick break.

Try some deep breaths. Often in high-energy situations, highly sensitive people find themselves breathing shallowly. Taking 3-5 deep breaths helps oxygenate your body, clear your mind, and center your energy.

Take along some tools. Pocketing or wearing items that are intended to ground or protect you can serve as a great touchstone for shifting energy. Whether it’s a protective charm, lucky coin, or grounding gemstone, taking along something you can see or touch will quickly shift your energy from bogged down to flying high.

What solutions have you found that work for you?