The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Did everyone enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday? If you didn’t, for any reason(s), don’t fret because Christmas is right around the corner.  This could be a double edged sword, as the holiday season has a tendency to create stress. A large portion of this unnecessary stress is due to overexerting yourself, but can be attributed to many other variables. Having a mental health condition multiplies this holiday stress. While each person deals with their mental health differently, a huge burden is created when the necessary attention and care aren’t provided. Each person should focus on their mental health, especially during the holidays. Here are some helpful tips to help overcome holiday stress, despite mental health conditions creating what seems like a roadblock.

First and foremost, be selfish and make yourself a priority. Amidst shopping, cleaning, cooking, travelling, and all the holiday hubbub, it’s easy to forget about yourself. Stick to a normal sleep routine, eat regularly, exercise, and keep up your daily activities. Maintaining a fairly normal routine will help your brain remain at home as well as put your body at ease.

Secondly, avoid feeling guilty. The expectations we put on ourselves to fill various roles are unrealistic and often lead to cracking under the pressures of pleasing everyone. Know your limits and set aside what can’t realistically be accomplished. We’re humans, not miracle workers.

Thirdly, stay connected with those you care about. A simple phone call to someone you haven’t talked to in a while will help brighten your day. Additionally, this option is exponentially better than isolating oneself, which leads to depressive thoughts and heightens anxiety.

Fourthly, be honest about your feelings. While family gatherings can be fun and joyful, some families just don’t all get along. Even when two people don’t get along, there are unnecessary tensions permeating. This realization isn’t completely comfortable, but the acceptance will help those involved cope better.

Fifthly, don’t be afraid to leave a stressful situation. Did someone say or do something to irritate you? Don’t explode then and there. Instead, excuse yourself for a “strategic retreat” to gather your thoughts and emotions. Decide whether staying or leaving the gathering is better for you.

Sixthly, use the buddy system. If someone is unable to be with you, inform them you might have to call them to help you and get through the stress. This person is someone who understands your situation and has previously helped you. Not only will they provide help, they will help boost your confidence.

Lastly, laugh as much as possible. This is something which should be done every day, especially during stressful situations. Laugh and you will almost immediately feel better.

These are some of the steps I use to deal with my Depression, Bipolar, and Anxiety not only during the holidays, but on a daily basis. Using these steps each day means stress isn’t as much of a burden when it arrives during the holidays. More importantly, my body and my mind know how to handle the stressful situations because it’s used to how I react and make adjustments accordingly; there is very little, or no shock, to throw me for a loop. While this may sound mundane, my body appreciates the discipline and routine I maintain. A sense of normalcy and balance is very important for me and I try to keep that mindset intact, despite the holiday stress attempting to deter me. However, this doesn’t mean I don’t indulge on all the delicious food brought to the table.

 

Comments

[Lucas_madden]

Thanks for tips! Here's to a happy and healthy holiday season!