Tips For Caring For Your Mental Health This Holiday Season
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Tips For Caring For Your Mental Health This Holiday Season

The Holidays can bring on the blues...

15
Tips For Caring For Your Mental Health This Holiday Season
Military Spouse Advocacy Network

Everyone experiences feelings of depression and anxiety in life. Increased alcohol consumption, changes in routine or diet, separation from support networks, and even emotional memories that accompany the season can trigger feelings of loneliness, emptiness, and fatigue, which are symptoms of the holiday blues. Five percent of the American population suffers from holiday depression or seasonal affective disorder. Many dismiss these symptoms just because they are considered temporary, but short-term depressive symptoms should be taken seriously before they turn into long term problems. Those that live with chronic mental illness are particularly susceptible to the blues during the holiday season and should pay attention to their overall health and wellness. If you suffer from seasonal or long-term depression or anxiety, remember there are ways you can exercise self-care so that you can function with day-to-day life. Here are some tips that may help to encourage a more positive mood during the holidays.

  1. Sleep, Rest and Relax. Things can get crazy during the holiday season. Last minute shopping, cleaning for company, cooking for a large family can drive anyone up the wall. It’s important to remember not to get burned out as that can exacerbate depression and anxiety symptoms. Take little breaks during the day, get at least seven hours of sleep, and clear your mind of clutter.
  2. Exercise. Exercise is also important to prevent yourself from being sedentary. Get out and run around the block, or take a trip to the gym. 30 minutes of exercise is all that is required to get those endorphins going. There is scientific proof that exercise helps to alleviate depression and anxiety.
  3. Reach out to your support network. If available, don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends and family during this time. If you can’t readily visit them, call them as often as you can, and tell them what’s going on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If they value the relationship, they will support and validate your concerns.
  4. Be mindful. Even if you don’t fully understand what you are feeling, acknowledge it and reach out to your support network for understanding. Don’t ignore it.
  5. See a professional. There is only so much friends and family can provide before it’s out of their hands, so If you are comfortable and able to see a professional, don’t be hesitant to do so. It is better to be safe than sorry

The biggest part of recovering from the holiday blues is validation. It requires acknowledgment of whatever you are feeling. Try not to question otherwise. No matter how weird, or how much you try to suppress these feelings, understand there is a problem. One thing to remember is not to let others define you by any one emotion or mental illness. Whether the feelings are brief or continue long-term--you offer more to the world than just that. Also, recognize that you are not suffering alone. Many others go through the same exact thing during the holidays. There are support networks online where you can ask questions and connect with others. The most important fact is to make sure you take some time for yourself and take the time to exercise internal and external self-care practices.




Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57443
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37013
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958753
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190906
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments