Caring for Your Mental Health During the Holidays
Holidays have several mental health effects. Some individuals look forward to the holidays with excitement, while others detest them. While some individuals report feeling happier and more upbeat around the holidays, others experience the opposite. However, most of us are really in the middle. Certain parts of the holidays are excellent for our mental health, but others can be detrimental.
Let's discuss the negative effects of holidays on mental health and tips to cope with them.
Why Do the Holidays Seem to Have Such a Deep Impact on Our Mental Health?
Anything that takes place in your life can affect your mental health. For example, a sad event, such as the loss of a loved one, or a happy one, such as being promoted at work, may affect it.
However, for anything to affect your mental health, it does not necessarily require a personal experience; the items in your surroundings are also a potential source of such an effect.
Negative Effects of Holidays on our Mental Health and Tips to Cope with them
The Feeling of the Holidays
As we get towards December, it is common practice to ask individuals to show "the Christmas spirit." However, others who say they are in "the holiday spirit" are filled with cheer and contentment at this time of year, and they share these emotions with those around them.
For some people, this may be a good thing, and if the only thing looking at Christmas lights or drinking eggnog does make them feel better, then that's fantastic. However, if you aren't experiencing the emotions that the holiday says you should be feeling, it may negatively impact your mental well-being.
A person experiencing a downturn in their mood is pressured by society to be happy during a specific time of the year. This is especially true if the individual is already struggling with a mental illness, loss, or another personal challenge.
If you feel that the pressure to get into "the Christmas spirit" is having a detrimental impact on mental health, the following is something you may try:
Remember that you are not obligated to feel joy all the time or even at specific periods during the day.
Keep in mind that Christmas and New Year’s Day are actually each just one day.
Recognize the true sensations you are experiencing. Doing this helps you let go of them.
Steer clear of substances like alcohol and drugs to avoid making things even more difficult for yourself in the long term.
Put yourself in the company of individuals who can empathize with what you're going through or who can appreciate how you're feeling no matter the circumstance. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself from other people.
Practice self-compassion and self-care (get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, exercise, meditate/pray, have realistic expectations, avoid perfectionism and procrastination, talk to yourself the way you would a dear friend, listen to music, read a good book, etc.)
Gift-Giving
During the holiday season, exchanging presents may be a wonderful tradition. Gift-giving and receiving may positively impact a person's mental health. However, it is only the case for some individuals.
If, for example, you don't want to participate in gift-giving because you don't have enough money, then seeing other people join in it might make you feel extremely depressed and helpless. But, on the other hand, the Christmas tree may be piled high with presents, which may bring tremendous delight to some people or bring them great sadness if they cannot join in the festivities for any reason.
If the act of gift-giving leaves you feeling depressed or stressed, try these ideas instead:
Give just what you can. That may mean adhering to a tight budget, or it could mean coming up with some inventive solutions. If it requires the preparation of cookies, then excellent. If it requires you to make a card and include a specific poem inside, that would be fantastic. Presents don't need to be tangible items; after all, most of us already have more than enough stuff.
This is because, during the holidays, many places and events usually open and frequented by us close so that individuals may enjoy time with their families. Although this has beneficial effects on the mental well-being of many, it may cause isolation for those who do not have a family to spend time with. You may feel entirely alone if you only have opportunities to communicate with others at your pottery class and that class is canceled.
Similarly, you may feel quite alone if you don't have any family of your own and all your pals leave town for the holidays. Feelings of isolation and loneliness are detrimental to mental health and may exacerbate preexisting conditions. In addition, those who struggle with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may find it challenging to seek out in such a setting.
Engage others in the process you want to use to hand out presents. You and your family may agree on a "Secret Santa" event, in which each individual buys only one gift for another family member to prevent anybody from going overboard.
Keep in mind that the gift of your time is highly valued. If you cannot provide anything tangible, you may always give of yourself. You may offer to prepare supper, assist with cleaning, or look after the children the following year.
Isolation and loneliness
While some individuals look forward to and thrive in the Christmas season's abundance of social opportunities, others find the season a painful exercise in isolation.
If feelings of isolation and loneliness take a toll on your mental health over the holidays, consider these steps:
Make preparations in advance. Determine in advance what other people will be doing so you can prepare for periods when you will be alone.
Try connecting with others online if you can't be with them in person. While nothing beats physically being with someone, sometimes a quick online video chat is all it takes to remember the bonds you have. There are also the possibilities of texting, calling, or sending Christmas cards.
It's better to ask for help before you need it. You could ask for help early to get people on board with sending Christmas cards in your support. Video chats should be scheduled in advance, preferably before things become hectic.
Get out and mingle with strangers. You may, for instance, spend some of your time volunteering at a local charity. That's an excellent way to start talking to people.
Taking Part in Festive Events
Unsurprisingly, celebrations are planned for every holiday. Huge feasts, parties, exchanging presents, and other events are commonplace during holiday celebrations.
The anticipation of Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas morning presents is enough to put a grin on many faces. The holidays have a beneficial influence on one's state of mind. Regrettably, though, not everyone shares that view.
The pressure to participate may harm the mental health of those who prefer not to attend holiday events owing to unpleasant memories, social anxiety, or simply simple choice.
Try this alternative if you don't feel like joining in on all the holiday gatherings:
If you're feeling overwhelmed, try drawing boundaries and going to the things you're interested in. You may, for instance, forego going out and instead spend time with family over a turkey supper. If nothing piques your interest, make alternate plans to do something you'll appreciate.
If you're not feeling the traditional Christmas activities, brainstorm some alternatives. Instead of visiting relatives, you may devote some of your time to helping others.
Remember to schedule some time for your self-care. Being well-rested and at peace with oneself will make participating in activities much simpler and more pleasurable.
Schedule an additional treatment session with your therapist to help you deal with your worries. Anxiety during a holiday gathering may be challenging, but a therapist can help you develop strategies for doing so and be there for you when you need it.
Take charge of the holidays
Don't let the upcoming holidays get you down. Instead, take precautions and prepare ahead of time to deal with stress, sadness, and grief that can coincide with the holidays. Be proactive! Discover what stresses you out around the holidays and what you can do about it. You may have a happy and peaceful Christmas season with just a little preparation and planning.
