For many, the holidays are a time of joy and happiness. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone. This time of year can heighten feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety, and stress, especially among those already living with mental illness or dealing with personal grief or separation from loved. Below are five tips on supporting your mental health during the holidays.
Pay Attention to Your Feelings
Recognize that feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety, and stress are common during the holidays, and it is OK to feel unhappy. Doing so will allow you to work through these emotions without judgement.
Practice Self-Care
It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the to-do’s and taking care of family during the holidays, but it’s important to also take care of yourself. Focus on the activities that help calm and recharge you and will make you better able to manage the challenges of the season.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Remember, it is OK to say no to activities and people who overwhelm or upset you, and you are under no obligation to do everything that comes up. Be mindful of your needs and set boundaries that protect your time, energy, and well-being.
Build a Support System
Getting through feelings of loneliness, sadness, and anxiety alone can be difficult, so it’s a good idea to build a strong support system for when you need that extra bit of help. This can be from a trusted friend or family member, a therapist, or a community or support group – find whatever works best for you. Groups can be especially helpful this time of year because they help foster a sense of belonging and shared experience.
Part of your support system should also be you support those around you who may also be experiencing difficulties during this season. Check in on loved ones and friends who may be alone or struggling. Helping someone else not only gives them support and joy, but it can also improve your own happiness and well-being.
Practice Healthy Habits
All those sweet treats certainly taste good when you are eating them, but unhealthy eating significantly contributes to mental health issues by causing inflammation, disrupting gut health, affecting brain chemistry, and leading to energy crashes. This doesn’t mean you can’t partake in the sweets – just limit your intake and balance them out with healthier options.
Alcohol and other substances also worsen feelings of anxiety and sadness, so limit these as much as possible. Instead of turning to alcohol or substances to cope with holiday stress try healthier alternatives like mindfulness, exercise, and/or bringing non-alcoholic drinks to social gatherings to reduce temptations.