Every year in November, I look at my calendar and exclaim, Whew, where does the time go? And then, oh no, The Holidays. Whilst The Holidays are meant to be merry and bright, it is also normal to feel stressed out or lonely. Each and every one of us have our own personal experiences that influences our feelings, thoughts and perceptions and this can have an impact on our mental health. The following, borrowed from Nami.org are some suggestions and support tips for surviving the next two months, hopefully with grace and love for ourselves and anyone you know that struggles during this time.
1. Accept Your Feelings
The holidays can bring up a range of emotions for people. Sometimes you can even experience seemingly contradictory emotions all at once. Try your best to acknowledge and accept your emotions rather than place judgment on them. It’s OK to feel happy; it’s OK to feel sad; it’s even OK to feel both happy and sad. Give yourself compassion and allow yourself to sit with whatever you’re feeling.
2. Maintain Healthy Habits
For many people, the holidays lead to a massive disruption in your day-to-day routine. But maintaining healthy habits like going to therapy, getting enough sleep and exercising are critical to keeping your mental health on track.
3. Set Boundaries
People like to be generous during the holidays, but that generosity doesn’t have to come at the expense of having healthy boundaries. If hosting an event or buying an expensive gift is too stressful, it’s OK to say no. It’s also OK to limit the time you spend with family that you may have a complicated dynamic with.
4. Make Time to Connect
Connection and meaning are critical to our mental health. Make time for your important relationships and connect with yourself through self-care. You can even connect with loved ones who are no longer with you through a family tradition or a personal remembrance ritual.
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The Parents Center wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!