Mental Health Awareness During the Holidays

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS – The holiday season is a very special time when many emotions and expectations, combine to cause joy and happiness but also considerable amounts of stress and anxiety. In fact, for many adults who run families, the holidays can be a nightmare. These individuals can stress over reaching everyone’s expectations regardless of the emotional and financial costs involved. People may also feel emotional and lonely during this time, especially if they don’t live in the traditional family unit due to either divorce, never marrying or being left behind after a death. However, despite the fact that the emotional and mental strain brought by the holidays can be overwhelming, there are ways to weather the storm and thrive mentally during this time.

So, how do we get through this holiday season with less drama and more happiness? Here are a few steps:

Be Honest: Self-acceptance is a key to happiness. We can start by being honest with ourselves. We need to acknowledge that this is a difficult time for us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves. The key is to focus on our own happiness and to try to make the most of the time we have with our loved ones.

Use Imagination: One way to combat loneliness and separation during the holidays is to make a list of our loved ones and to imagine what it would be like to spend time with them. This can be a fun exercise and it can help us to feel closer to those we care about even if they are far away or no longer with us.

Take it Easy: Try to spend time with your loved ones in a way that doesn’t create great amounts of anxiety and expectations. This means not rushing things, being patient with each other and, most importantly, not taking on more of a challenge than we can handle.

Be Authentic: We need to celebrate our loved ones in our own way. This can be by writing them a letter, sending them a gift, or going out for a meal together.

Know it’s OK to Say No: Make a list of what you want and don’t want from the celebrations. This will help you focus on what is important and not get overwhelmed or put too much to do on your plate.

Communicate: Talk to your loved ones about your expectations. This will help them understand your needs and help avoid any conflicts.

Grab Some “You Time”: Allow yourself some time to relax and enjoy the celebration with less stress. This will help you feel happier and more relaxed.

Lean on Others: Get help from family and friends who can help you with the holiday preparations. This will help you feel less stressed and more supported.

These are just a few tips to help you navigate through the holiday season with less drama and more happiness.

“We need to acknowledge that this is a difficult time for us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves”

Services For Living Well by Alina Sosa-Perez

Even after you follow the tips above you may still feel sad, lonely, stressed and anxious this time of year. Don’t worry because, fortunately, there’s help available. Services For Living Well by Alina Sosa-Perez, a Psychotherapist, can provide the support you need to have a peaceful holiday season. We can work together to identify the sources of your sadness and anxiety finding constructive ways to address them.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and ready to take some small steps to start feeling better, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to chat with you about how we can help you enjoy your holiday season in a way that is comfortable and healthy for you.