The holiday season has arrived.

This time of year is often a time of joy, excitement, and anticipation, but it can be stressful. Add to that the pandemic, then Delta, and now Omicron, and you get those ‘here we go again” feelings. It can be mentally and emotionally draining — the emotional roller coaster is a wild ride!

Last spring, we all experienced the pandemic getting better. We can be hopeful that this will happen again and that the setback will not last forever. Remind yourself how resilient you are by reflecting on how you got through previous tough times. The holidays are the perfect time to “reframe “ your thinking and remember that we live in a natural world that is full of wonder and awe.

In response to that feeling, “I can’t believe I have to go through this again,” you can try to fight the distress and uncertainty, or you can use every day, easy-to-do activities to help you get through the holidays with grace. You can watch nine short videos, posted at tinyurl.com/bdh78wxp, which were created in response to the pandemic earlier in 2021 by the Community Care Team, a unit of VashonBePrepared.

Here are some reminders of the valuable tools that help build resiliency:

Acknowledge how you feel. This helps you tolerate the discomfort.

Make statements of acceptance: “I can accept that this is more complicated than I thought.” “It is not what I wanted.” This is a way to normalize what you are feeling. You do not have to like it to accept it.

Express your emotions in a healthy way by sharing your feelings with others. Keep it brief and move on to other topics. Write about your feelings to gain insight.

Shift your attention: when negative feelings flair up, use distraction tactics.

Gather safely with family and friends during the holidays. Exercise. Play with pets. Enjoy hobbies. Listen to music. Watch a funny movie. Read something interesting or inspiring.

Step away and take brief mental vacations: Every 15 minutes, set your stress aside and do something that rejuvenates you.

Take a short walk outside and feel the restorative effects of nature. Close your eyes and visualize someplace that feels soothing and restful. Stretch and breathe.

Take lessons from your own personal history. What worked in the past? Remember a time in your past before the pandemic that was difficult and consider how you got through it. Did you talk to someone, reduce your workload, or add more time for relaxation and fun in your life?

Focus on the areas you can control; there are many we cannot. Using these strategies can help you cultivate a sense of healthy optimism.

It is the time to embrace the holidays by connecting with family and friends, participating in the festivities, and taking care of ourselves. Research shows that more happiness is derived by giving gifts than receiving them. It is a gift to live in a community that cares about its residents. We will all get through this together!

Jinna Risdal, Ph.D., is a retired psychologist and educator. She is the coordinator of the Community Care Team for VashonBePrepared.