Table of Contents
Don’t Use Alcohol and Drugs as A Coping Mechanism
Many turn to drugs and alcohol to numb their feelings or use them as a social crutch during the holidays, but these are not good coping mechanisms because they are not good for your health. They are going to make things worse and you will feel more anxious and depressed. There is a rapid increase in alcohol-related accidents and deaths around the holiday season. Many of the partygoers don’t drink that often, which makes them have a low tolerance that makes them more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. The other extreme end of the problem is those who find any social occasion to drink or use drugs and alcohol as an excuse to deal with what they are going through during the holiday season.
Sticking to Your Mental Health Routine
You might feel overworked, emotionally drained, overcommitted, and sleep-deprived because of the holiday hustle and bustle. People tend to “pack it all in” during the holiday season and overexert themselves with holiday festivities and social gatherings without leaving time for themselves. Self-care is very important especially during this time of year. Make sure you know your boundaries and limits when it comes to overextending yourself.
Whether it is morning meditation, weekly outpatient therapy with claritychi.com daily exercise, attending community support groups, or a specific self-care ritual, you need to have a self-care and mental health routine during the holiday season because it is going to help with negative emotions or alleviating unwanted stressors that might come up during the holiday season. Self-care is a great tool for combating holiday blues.
Having A Positive Support Team Around You
Family and friends who support by listening, being present, and giving health advice can have a big impact during the holiday season. You can lean on these people because they care about you and they will help in overcoming the holiday stressors. Most people don’t know that the holiday season is a triggering time for people. You need to be honest with those around you and make sure they are there to support you during these times. They are going to provide a lot of support during holiday dinners or family gatherings. The last thing you want to do is isolate yourself. It is going to become triggering and make things worse.
Learning How and When to Say “No”
From family gatherings, gift-giving, decorations, fancy outfits, and holiday sweets people often themselves and others to high expectations, which can leave them with feelings of failure. You have to be realistic during the holiday season and keep in mind that not everyone is going to get along or things will not always go as you planned. An important part of self-care is saying “no”, especially when it will help in preventing you from doing something with a negative experience. If you start to feel overwhelmed, you can turn down social obligations, especially those that might leave you feeling triggered. It is perfectly acceptable to decline an invitation to take care of yourself. Those supporting you are going to understand this.
Enjoying The Beauty of Mother Nature
The holiday season comes with shorter days, gray skies, and freezing temperatures for most people, which can be triggering for those suffering from season depression or seasonal affective disorder. The sunlight and outdoors are known to stimulate happiness and elevate mood. In order to deal with the empty feelings that come with the cold dreary season, take a walk outside or get a lightbox to increase your light exposure. Make some time for fun outdoor activities like biking, hiking, skiing, etc. as long as the weather permits. If you don’t have any other option than remain indoors, then buy a lightbox. This is going to be used for bright light therapy, and you will notice your mood improve after doing it.
Setting A Budget and Sticking to It
The holiday season comes with a huge burden especially in terms of finances, and this can cause holiday blues. Buying gifts, decorations, and preparing meals can be an expensive affair for most, which can cause unnecessary stress. Some feel like they have to go overboard in their efforts to show affection where others feel pressured to maintain their image even it means breaking the bank. Whether you have a large or small income, you need to have a budget for your holiday expenses. Make sure you stick with the budget. You don’t have to buy gifts for everyone on your list, you can make homemade gifts, taking part in family secret Santa, or gifting your skill. Family secret Santa will mean you only have to buy a gift for one individual.
