Thanksgiving is here. The holiday year end cycle is fully upon us. As you may or may not know, the holidays are not happy times for many people. Even people who enjoy this time of year, can find it all overwhelming.
Many people struggle with depression and anxiety during this time of year. Leaving the house in the dark, coming home in the dark can take a toll on anyone
Words of encouragement can also be helpful for nearly everyone.
So this holiday season, I have a goal for you. How many people can you send an appreciation card to this holiday season?
I know. For some people, part of the stress is having to get the family Christmas card out. If that’s you and the idea of adding another list of cards is well, distressing.
How about a text message or a social media direct message?
It doesn’t have to be elaborate.
Tell the person that you appreciate them.
Tell them something specific that you appreciate about them. If you share a common faith, let them know that you said a prayer for them.
If you’re not the praying type, let them know you had some positive thoughts for them. It doesn’t have to be long.
The entire thing could be just a few sentences.
I am convinced that most people are all desperately looking for relationships. So many are struggling and alone. Even, those who may seem to have many friends can often feel alone.
Research shows that words of encouragement can be incredibly helpful to anyone, especially to someone in mental or emotional distress.
What’s interesting to me, is the benefit to the person that sends encouragement to another person.
There is a benefit to you when you send that message to another person telling them that you appreciate them.
Sharing good will with other people triggers a release of happy chemicals in our own brains. It increases all of the things that boost our moods in the right direction.
2021 is almost over and I’m still not sure that I’ve been able to process all of the things that 2020 brought my way. I know that I am not the only one.
We are in the middle of a mental health crisis. That crisis is extending to both the public and those who work in the field. This has caused a shortage of available help. This shortage is delaying people’s ability to get professional help, which is obviously exasperating many people’s mental health struggles.
This is why your intentional words of encouragement are so important. They will help someone who else who in all probability is also struggling to process everything going on in the world around us.
It’s not therapy, but it is helpful. As a former mentor of mine was fond of saying, “Nearly everyone you meet is desperately insecure and in need of affirmation.” That was before all of the current mess kicked off. So many people I talk to express feeling like they are running out of energy to deal with the different things the world is throwing at them.
People are exhausted. Words of encouragement can help other people.
They can also help you.
Sharing words of encouragement is a proven way benefit others and yourself. Would you be willing to set a goal of sending words of encouragement to a minimum of three people this season? Let me know how it goes.
Joe Martino is a counselor with Joe Martino Counseling Network. He has locations in Lowell, Grand Rapids, Greenville, and Grandville. For more information about Joe and his business, check their website or Facebook page. He and the rest of the counselors and staff are eager to help those in need.
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