The Holiday Peace Project Begins!
- Tami West, PhD
- 40 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to Consider Yourself Hugged! Click below to watch or Click here to listen to Episode 215.
We’re kicking off The Holiday Peace Project—a short, practical series to help us keep calm, connected, and intentional through the season. In this episode, we share what’s really going on in our lives (hi, real emotions), swap stories from our own holiday trenches, and offer a simple plan: decide what the season means to you, choose your feelings on purpose, and put a few tiny anchors in place (questions, games, and small rituals) so peace doesn’t get steamrolled by expectations.
Our stories (me & Michelle)
Michelle: David’s emergency pacemaker went well, but a painful bout of pericarditis landed us in the ER and seven hours later we learned no one had read the initial labs. I was… not calm. He’s improving, and I’m holding two truths at once: gratitude and overwhelm can coexist.
Tami: My grandmother made Thanksgiving magical: for four people. I tried to replicate it for thirty-five and ended up resentful and exhausted. The lesson I keep relearning: ask for help, accept help.
What “the holidays” include (and what they mean to you)
We’ll include a one-page Holiday Meaning Map in the downloads. Jot what each one means to you:
Thanksgiving (4th Thu in Nov): harvest, gratitude, togetherness
Hanukkah (Nov/Dec): light in darkness, faith, dedication
Christmas (Dec 25): hope, giving, joy
Kwanzaa (Dec 26–Jan 1): community, creativity, shared purpose
New Year’s (Dec 31–Jan 1): renewal, reflection, beginnings
Quick “science snapshot” we discussed (the why for tools)
Most Americans feel some holiday stress (we joked about “who is that 10th person?”).
For many with existing mental-health challenges, symptoms increase this time of year.
The hopeful side:
Small kindnesses can noticeably lift mood.
Laughter during gatherings correlates with lower stress hormones.
Connection > perfection for favorite memories.
4 Questions to set your intention (put these in your phone)
What do I want to feel this season? (It’s okay to choose more than one: calm + joy + wistful can coexist.)
What would help me feel that? (E.g., 10-minute walks, candle + one thank-you note, ask 2 people to bring dishes.)
Where does commercial/cultural pressure distract me? (Ads, Instagram, “shoulds,” blended-family expectations.)
What one change would bring me more peace? (Simplify meals, order Thanksgiving, budget caps, say no kindly.)
Fun & connection (games = low-pressure bonding)
Great for mixed ages and low rules.
Buyable favorites:
Telestrations, Heads Up!, Pictionary Air, Left Center Right, Anomia, Wits & Wagers, Blank Slate, Codenames, Jackbox Party Pack (phones as controllers). Links in the download
No-purchase games:
Category Charades (act within a theme), Reverse Charades (team acts, one guesses), Story Tag (each adds 1 sentence), Holiday Would-You-Rather, Name-That-Tune: Holiday Edition, Low-stakes Karaoke (phone + YouTube instrumentals).
🎄 Holiday Peace Project Trivia: Laugh, Learn & Lighten Up!
What was the first company to use Santa Claus in advertising?
In what country did the tradition of the Christmas tree begin?
What day do most Americans start decorating for the holidays?
What fruit is traditionally found in Christmas stockings?
What was Frosty the Snowman’s nose made of?
During Hanukkah, how many candles are on the menorah?
Kwanzaa was first celebrated in which decade?
In Japan, what food is commonly eaten on Christmas Day?
Which country celebrates “La Befana,” a kind witch who brings gifts to children on Epiphany?
What color are the berries of mistletoe?
What’s the most re-watched holiday movie of all time (according to 2024 streaming stats)?
How many gifts total are given in “The 12 Days of Christmas”?
What was the first song ever broadcast from space?
What reindeer name is also a kitchen cleaner brand?
What hormone is released when we sing together — boosting joy and bonding?
True or False: Gratitude journaling during December can lower stress hormones by up to 23%.
What percentage of people say holiday music instantly improves their mood?
What’s the number one word people use to describe their favorite holiday memory?
✅ Next episodes:
CYH 216: Comparison & Perfectionism (next week)
Soon after: Grief in the Holidays (early in the series to be most helpful)
Calls to action
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As we've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.
And next season, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗
*Disclaimer:
If you are having thoughts of self harm, suicide, or despair, please reach out to 988 or 911. The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources here, or others in your area.
Mental Health Resources:
Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), running (slowly), and Crossfit. Contact Michelle at Silver Lining Psychiatric Solutions, 615-378-7713 or mkixmill@gmail.com.
Tami West, PhD
Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.
Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In any given year, Tami speaks to groups with audiences consisting of anywhere from 100 to 3,000 people.
Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including three books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. When she's not speaking or writing, you might find her with her traveling with her husband and family, reading historical fiction, or watching Big Bang Theory.
Tami connects with audiences through real experience, cutting edge research, and transparent stories – all sprinkled with humor! She will make you laugh, cry, and shine a refreshingly new light on life's challenges.
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Contact Tami at tamiwest@tamiwest.com