Christmas is right around the corner, and with it comes family gatherings, gift exchanges, and cookies galore. As festive and happy as this sounds, for people with mental illnesses, it can be an overwhelming time of year. And our anxiety and depression want tons of things for Christmas, that we should not give to them:

1. To hole up in our room.

As nice as it is to curl up in your childhood bed, getting out and about it also important to your routine. Even if it means going to a coffee shop for a few hours or watching an episode of TV with your mom.

2. To shrug off any interaction with family.

Not all families are balls of sunshine, that is for sure. But if you have family that is good to you trying to reach out and reconnect with you, don't ignore them. I am not saying that you should give them your entire day because self-care is important, but just a half an hour conversation could make their day.

3. Stay home instead of going out with old friends.

Obviously, do not go and get ice cream with someone who made your life miserable in high school (unless you're willing to forgive and forget), but if a dear friend wants to go see a new movie with you, give it a chance.

4. Not reaching out to friends from home to reconnect.

There may be some people you want to talk to about your new lives, but your anxiety keeps telling you that they don't want to discuss life with you. I can guarantee if this person really cares about you, your anxiety is wrong. Making the first move is hard, but it can be worth it.

5. Trying something new.

With Christmas comes old traditions that can be hard to shake. Maybe you've been wanting a real Christmas tree for years, but you're worried that your Mom won't take the change well. Or that you want to try a new dish for Christmas dinner, but your Dad is stuck on lasagna. Try to hurdle this anxiety and ask them if you could switch up Christmas--even if just for a trial run. And you will spend less time wondering and more time doing.

6. Naps all of the time.

Naps are good. Naps are great. But naps take away from valuable time with friends and family if they become recurrent. Instead of napping try relaxing in a different way. Perhaps try knitting or a coloring book.

7. Little to no showers.

Hygiene is important. And showers feel good, especially when it's cold outside and the water is cranked all the way up. As hard as taking a shower can sound when your anxiety and/or depression get bad, it will be beneficial in the long run. And you can use it as a little break from socializing with family if need be as well.