Holiday Mental Wellness
The holidays can be an extremely stressful time. Between workplace demands, daily family obligations and finding time to enjoy the holidays, managing your life can almost feel impossible. So it is no surprise that many people experience feelings of depression and anxiety during the holidays.
Many people think they should just be able to "get over it" on their own. But the truth is that the holiday blues can be hard for anyone to manage.
Holiday Mental Wellness Tips
There are things you can do to help avoid the holiday blues. Here are some tips to manage both your mental and physical health during the holiday season:
- Stick to normal routines as much as possible and make to-do lists.
- Eat and drink in moderation. Alcohol is a depressant so don’t drink if you are feeling down.
- Don't try to do it all by yourself. Delegate tasks to friends and family.
- Get exercise. Even taking a short walk can do much to improve your state of mind.
- Learn to say no. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every activity.
Be Good to Yourself
Be gentle and patient with yourself. Spend time with supportive, caring people. Talking about your feelings can teach you new ways to cope. If you need help, talk to a friend, a loved one or a trained counselor.
If you are feeling especially down for a long period of time, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. There are treatment options that can make a significant difference.
Managing Family Stress
Family is the biggest source of holiday stress for many people. The thought of being in close quarters with some of your relatives can be anxiety-inducing. Family relationships are complicated. You all have your own personalities. Because of your differences, it may be easy to rub each other the wrong way. Try not to let every remark get under your skin. Do your best to set your differences aside and agree to disagree.
Managing Financial Stress
Spending money during the holiday season may be unavoidable, but you can control how much you spend. Buying gifts should not affect your ability to pay your bills, nor should it result in costly credit card debt. To help prevent stress over money, plan ahead, review your finances and come up with a realistic budget for gifts. Make a list of all the gifts you plan to buy and keep track of sales and coupons so you can take advantage of deals. Most importantly, stay committed to your budget.