The holiday season is quickly approaching. For many, it’s a joyous time spent with friends and family — but for others, it can signal the most stressful time of the year. Unrealistic pressures to spend money, attend social functions, and get along with family members you don’t see eye to eye with can trigger a whole wave of emotions. Plus, for those who have lost a loved one or recently experienced a divorce, this time of year can be especially difficult.
Depression, anxiety, stress, and exhaustion are increasingly common during the holiday season. Pair those feelings with an ongoing health pandemic and it’s easy to see why the last couple of months of 2020 are going to be especially challenging for many people.
In today’s blog from Blair Wellness Clinic, we would like to share some strategies for maintaining positive mental health during this particularly stressful time of year. Keep reading to learn more.
Identify the Cause of Your Stress
When you start to think about the holidays, what is it that causes your anxiety? Is it the thought of having to host a large family gathering and all of the preparation that goes into it? Or, is it the fact that you’ll be without a loved one that you miss dearly. Perhaps it’s a combination of several things that make you dread this time of year. Whatever the cause, it’s important to take the time to reflect on what is causing your feelings so you can take the appropriate steps to address them.
Let Go of the Things You Can’t Control
There are things that you have power over — like choosing whether or not to exceed your gift-giving budget — and there are things that you don’t. Learning to let go of the ones that you can’t control can provide some sense of peace in being able to control your actions and feelings over the uncontrollable.
Learn To Say “No”
For many, holiday stress often stems from feeling overwhelmed with obligations. Social functions, family gatherings, shopping, baking, wrapping gifts, and more make it difficult to find the time to sit back and take a breath. While you may not want to break with long-standing traditions, it’s necessary to learn that you don’t have to go everywhere and do everything. Identify the things that are most important to you and then give yourself permission to back away from the rest. Your mental health depends on it!
Take Care of Yourself
Now, more than any other time of the year, it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health. That means trying to stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine and making sure that you’re getting enough sleep. Taking care of your physical self will have a positive impact on your mental health as well.
If you find that the holidays are especially difficult for you, consider talking through your challenges with a mental health professional. Some people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as excess drinking or substance abuse, but this only makes things worse.
Blair Wellness Group Can Help
At Blair Wellness Group of Beverly Hills, we offer counseling, treatment, and mental health treatment for those struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, and relationship issues, as well as a wide range of other mental health conditions. Under the experienced and compassionate care of licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Cassidy Blair, you’ll receive the support you need to live a happier and more fulfilling life now, and all throughout the year. Call to schedule an appointment for an in-person, telephone, teletherapy, or virtual session at 310.999.4996.
