Do you find yours mental health through the holidays pretty taxed? Whether you have certain beliefs around the holidays or not, this time of year can be particularly challenging to many individuals. There is a lot of pressure this time of year to take time to be around family, juggle who to spend time with, buying present, etc. This time of year can seem extra hard after COVID-19 and dealing with finances.
Many people lost a loved one during the pandemic or are struggling from losing a job. It is okay to have anxiety around this time. We all have to adjust to what life is like now after some pretty drastic changes. Understand that your mental health is more important than what others expect. Be kind to yourself during this time and take your mental health seriously.
Tips to help your mental health through the holidays:
- Focus on healthy habits
During this time, we can become overwhelmed by a long to-do list. Remember to still take the time to get exercise, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of rest to help your mental health and wellness.
- Understand what is in/out of your control
We cannot control others that are sick, bad weather when needing to travel, or not having enough money to buy many gifts. What we may be able to control is how we respond to these things and how we prepare ourselves for any outcome.
- Create a schedule that is right for you
With how much things have changed since the pandemic; it may be hard to do all of the holiday stuff that you used to do in the past. It is okay to do what is best for you now, even if that means doing your own celebrations from home.
- Create times for destressing
Being around family or rushing to get things done can cause an increase in anxiety. Make time for breaks and self-care so that you can destress away from any chaos.
- Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist
Talking to someone you trust is very important right now. Not everyone has a loved one or friend, so take the steps to see a therapist to help manage anxiety, depression, grief, etc. during this time.
Ways to reduce winter stress for loved ones:
- Create plans in advance
The more time everyone must prepare for plans the less anxiety they will feel and the more realistic those plans will be.
- Respect your loved one’s choices
Choosing where and with whom you spend time with can be very difficult, everyone has different life expectations, so it is important to be respectful and supportive.
- Understand that there will be mixed feelings
Not everyone enjoys this time of year, some may be excited while other may feel sad or experiencing grief around how things used to be.
- Have realistic expectations
You may feel that your loved one is ignoring gatherings or the family, but they may just need smaller gatherings or celebrations that do not last as long.
- Be an open and active listener
Sometimes all a loved one needs is time to not feel judged and to feel like their feelings and emotions matter.
It is okay to admit that the holidays are hard sometimes. It is okay to create boundaries and focus on yourself or you and a partner during this time. We are still experiencing times of uncertainty, so doing what is best for you is what is most important. Not everyone has family to spend this time with. Be thankful for what you have. Working on your mental health through the holidays can also look like inviting a friend over for dinner when they do not have family of their own. Know that if you are struggling during this time, that your family members might be as well, so reach out as support.
Your mental health and wellness matter, if you need extra help during this time do not be afraid to reach out to a therapist for help. Remember to be kind to yourself always and to not have unrealistic expectations of your mental health through the holidays.
