Survive the Holidays with These Mental Health Tips

Are you worried about the stress and overwhelm that comes with the holidays? If so, you’re not alone. This article offers practical strategies to help you manage your mental health during the holidays, so you can enjoy the season to the fullest.

Quick facts: Mental Health Tips For The Holidays

• ✅38% of Americans report feeling more anxious, lonely and depressed during the holidays (American Psychological Association, 2018)
• ✅Over 40 million Americans experience mental health issues and nearly 19 million struggle with depression (Mental Health America, 2020)
• ✅Over 20% of older adults experience symptoms of depression during the holiday season (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020)
• ✅Spending too much money during the holidays can increase stress and anxiety levels (American Psychological Association, 2018)
• ✅Making time to practice self-care during the holidays can help to improve mental health (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2020)

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Why It’s Important to Prioritize Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season

The holiday season can bring up a spectrum of emotions. From joy and excitement to stress and anxiety, it’s important to prioritize your mental health during this time of year. Many people find the holidays to be a joyful season but for others it can be difficult. This could be due to financial worries, feeling overwhelmed with presents or activities, family stress, or any number of other factors.

It is important to recognize when your mental health needs attention and step back in order to recenter yourself. Make sure that you’re taking breaks for yourself (not just the kids) and find healthy ways to cope with the additional stress that the holidays may bring. You could:

• Take up yoga
• Get outdoors for a walk or bike ride
• Call a friend for some emotional support
• Practice meditation or mindfulness

Whatever helps you feel most grounded—do it!

By taking care of your mental wellbeing during the holiday season you can ensure that you’re able to enjoy the holiday spirit and make lasting memories for years to come.

Ways to Manage Your Mental Health During the Holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time for many people, and managing your mental health during this time can be difficult. However, there are ways to cope and make the holiday season a bit easier to take.

One of the most important things you can do is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest. Additionally, it’s important to stay connected with supportive friends and family members even if it may be hard due to travel or distance. Setting boundaries with friends and family who may not prioritize your mental health or put unreasonable demands on you can also help reduce stress.

Taking time out for yourself and doing activities that you enjoy is also essential in keeping your mental health in check during the hectic holiday season.

You’re Not Alone

When it comes to mental health care during the holiday season, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Mental health issues can be difficult to deal with, but there are always people who are willing to listen and provide support. Reach out to friends and family, lean on your loved ones, or take advantage of online resources if you need help getting through a tough time.

It’s also important to recognize that everyone deals with the holidays differently. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to speak up about your feelings or needs, even if they differ from what your family and friends may expect. Communication is key when it comes to making sure everybody is on the same page and understanding each other’s needs during this time of year.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Holidays

The holidays can be an incredibly stressful time. From holiday parties, gift-giving, and finding time to relax, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Navigate the holidays in a healthy way and take care of your mental health.

• One important tip is to have realistic expectations: set yourself realistic deadlines and don’t leave everything until the last minute. Planning ahead not only makes holiday stress more manageable, it can also reduce guilt or shame if things don’t turn out perfectly.
• It’s okay to say no to certain obligations that do not fit into your lifestyle or budget. You know yourself better than anyone else – so trust your instincts when setting boundaries around your mental health needs during the holidays.
• By being honest with yourself about what you can give without burning out, you’ll be able to navigate any situation in a way that works for you this holiday season and all year round!

Tips for Managing Mental Health

Mental health is an important part of overall wellbeing. Even during the holidays, when things can get busy and stressful, there are ways to take care of yourself and ensure your mental health doesn’t suffer.

The first step is to recognize the signs of good mental health. These include:

• feeling good about oneself;
• having a sense of worth and purpose;
• being able to manage emotions;
• having satisfying relationships with others;
• being able to cope with difficulties and stressors in life; and
• having a sense of belonging in the community.

Once you understand what good mental health looks like, there are several strategies you can use to maintain it. These include:

• setting achievable goals for yourself (that don’t lead to perfectionism);
• tracking your progress on goals that are important to you;
• taking care of your physical health (e.g., eating well-balanced meals, getting enough sleep);
• staying connected with people you trust (friends, family, support group);
• making time for leisure activities (hobbies, favorite books or movies) ;
• avoiding risky behavior such as substance use or gambling.

Lastly, if needed seek out professional help from a therapist or counselor who can help provide further guidance on managing stressors during this holiday season.

Organizations That are Here to Help

Mental health is a vital part of overall health and wellbeing. When we experience strong, long-term emotions, like sadness or anxiety, it is important to seek help from trained professionals.

There are plenty of organizations that exist to provide mental health services and support systems. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups, education programs, helplines, and assessment tools. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information about treatment facilities and resources for families in need of financial assistance for mental health services. For more specialized support such as counseling or therapy, turn to the American Psychological Association (APA) for a list of qualified professionals in your area.

With the right resources at hand, you can learn how to cope with your emotions so that you can thrive during the holidays despite stressors.

Self-Care Is Always Important

The holidays are a time of celebration, but they can be overwhelming too. To make sure you don’t burn out while enjoying the season, it’s important to keep your mental health in check. Here are some tips to help you stay mentally and emotionally healthy during this time:

1. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The holidays should be a time of joy and fun, not over-the-top stress. Set realistic expectations for yourself – try to take things one day at a time instead of trying to tackle everything at once.
2. Prioritize self-care. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating well and engaging in activities that bring you joy. Schedule breaks throughout the holidays if possible and make plans with friends as often as you can – social interaction is key for mental health!
3. Be mindful about what activities or situations are causing stress or anxiety and find ways to cope with them in order to keep your level of stress manageable.

These mental health tips will help you get through the holiday season while protecting your emotional well-being.

Coping with Holiday Anxiety and Stress

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, making it difficult to find joy in the festivities. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need some extra help to manage anxiety and stress during this time, seek out professional help. Therapy is an amazing tool to have in your arsenal when it comes to managing your mental health. A therapist can often provide the perfect combination of understanding, advice and accountability that many of us need during this overwhelming season.

If you do not already have a therapist, seek out an experienced mental health care specialist who practices evidence-based treatments that are tailored to your unique needs. The holiday season should be about celebrating with loved ones – not about feeling anxious and stressed out. Seeking help from a specialist is an important first step in taking control of your mental health during the holidays and beyond.

Neuropsychologist Angela Drake’s Advice for Navigating the Season’s Emotional Challenges

As the holidays bring both joy and stress into our lives, it’s important to stay mindful of our emotional health. Neuropsychologist Angela Drake offers advice on how we can process and manage our emotions during this time.

One of her techniques is to use creative ways to process our feelings rather than to dwell on them. She recommends activities like journaling, painting, or journaling to express emotions in a positive way. Furthermore, she suggests avoiding negative self-talk and instead focusing on gratitude and appreciation for the present moment.

Another helpful tip is to increase physical resilience by engaging in regular exercise or stretching activities. Exercising releases endorphins that help improve mood and reduce stress levels. Additionally, she recommends getting enough sleep each night as this helps to regulate hormones such as serotonin that are necessary for good mental health. Taking breaks throughout the day also helps keep us balanced and relaxed as we handle demanding holiday tasks or events.

In conclusion, by following these tips from neuropsychologist Angela Drake, we can better navigate the season’s emotional challenges while maintaining our mental well-being – allowing us to fully enjoy the holiday season!

Help is Available by Dialing or Texting 988

In the spirit of the holidays, it’s important to reach out and connect with those we care about. It’s also important to remember that feeling overwhelmed or down during the holidays is not uncommon. Fortunately, help is available. Seeking support is actually an act of self-care that can have a positive impact on your mental health during the holiday season and beyond. Mental health support can come from therapy, medication, or other treatments.

If you are having trouble managing your mental health during this holiday season, you can take advantage of a new hotline established by the federal government – 988. This hotline provides callers with access to 24/7 crisis counseling and mental health referrals. You may also opt for Texting 988 as an alternative option if talking on the phone feels intimidating or overwhelming. No matter how you decide to get help, finding an outlet for your feelings will help you cope better and make this holiday season feel more manageable and enjoyable!

FAQs about: mental health tips for the holidays

Q: What are some tips for managing stress during the holidays?

A: Here are some tips for managing stress during the holidays:

• Create a budget and stick to it
• Set realistic expectations for yourself and others
• Take time for yourself to relax and recharge
• Take a break from social media
• Set healthy boundaries with family and friends
• Ask for help when you need it

Q: How can I cope with the loneliness of the holidays?

A: Here are some tips for coping with the loneliness of the holidays:

• Reach out to friends or family members you haven’t seen in a while
• Volunteer at a local charity or organization
• Stay active and find activities to do that make you feel good
• Focus on self-care and do something for yourself
• Attend holiday events in your area
• Take time for yourself to relax and recharge

Q: What are some tips for managing anxiety during the holidays?

A: Here are some tips for managing anxiety during the holidays:

• Set aside time for yourself to relax and recharge
• Make time for physical activity to help manage stress
• Focus on the present moment and practice mindfulness exercises
• Avoid over-scheduling yourself and set realistic expectations
• Create a calming environment by playing soothing music
• Try limit caffeine and alcohol intake