The holiday season can be extremely exciting and bring people together, however it can also bring along a great deal of stress that can end up impacting our mental health. While the holidays create a lot of joy and happiness for some, they can be a time a grief and loneliness.
this blog post, we’ll explore strategies for managing mental health during the holidays, with a focus on coping with grief, practicing self-care, and setting healthy boundaries.
COPING WITH GRIEF
Grieving during the holidays can intensify feelings of loss and make it challenging to engage in traditional festivities. If you’re missing a loved one this year, we’ve included some steps towards coping with those feelings and honouring their memory.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Grief is a natural emotion that can have varying degrees of intensity over time. The holidays often bring about increased feelings of sadness, loneliness, and grief. Acknowledge these feelings and remind yourself that it’s okay to feel sad and not as excited as usual. We may even experience feelings of guilt related to enjoying the holiday season if we’re doing so without a loved one; allow yourself to experience the full range of emotions and understand that you deserve to celebrate the way that you want and need to.
Create New Traditions
Creating new traditions can be incredibly meaningful in your healing journey. New traditions can help you honour loved ones that you’ve lost in order to create a sense of connection to them. They can also help you create new connections and create a fresh perspective on the holidays.
Prioritize Self-Care
Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for support. Sharing your feelings and memories can be therapeutic, and knowing you’re not alone can make a significant difference.
Seek Support
Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for support. Sharing your feelings and memories can be therapeutic, and knowing you’re not alone can make a significant difference.
PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE
Self-care is essential, especially during a season that can be demanding and emotionally charged. Here are some self-care tips to promote mental well-being.
Set Realistic Expectations
Manage your expectations and be realistic about what you can accomplish. It’s okay to say no to additional commitments and prioritize activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Set expectations around spending and money that fit into your budget and don’t leave you struggling in the new year.
Maintain Healthy Habits
Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. These foundational elements play a crucial role in maintaining mental and emotional well-being, and we know easily these things can slip by when we’re busy with the holidays (not to mention dealing with gloomier weather!)
Schedule “Me Time”
Carve out time for yourself amidst the hustle and bustle. Engage in activities that bring you peace and joy, whether it’s reading, taking a walk, or practicing mindfulness.
SET HEALTHY BOUNDARIES
Establishing boundaries with friends and family members is a key aspect of preserving your mental health, particularly during the holiday season. Here’s how you can set and maintain healthy boundaries.
Communicate Openly
Clearly communicate your needs and limits with friends and family. Let them know what you’re comfortable with and be open about the support you may require.
Learn to Say No
Saying no is a powerful act of self-care. Politely decline invitations or requests that may overwhelm you, and prioritize activities that align with your well-being.
Plan Ahead
Anticipate potentially challenging situations and plan accordingly. Having a strategy in place can empower you to navigate social events and family gatherings with greater ease. Talking to a friend or your therapist about upcoming events that may be stressful can be helpful.
This holiday season, focus on your own values and what’s important to you, and try not to get sucked into the commercialism that dictates how we’re supposed to behave. Focus on your values and self-care and you may find that you enjoy the holiday season even more than usual, and are less burnt out by the end!
If you’re looking for help this holiday season, reach out. Our therapist have a variety of different specialties at various rates to fit your needs.
Written by:
Joy Pekar
Intern Therapist, Roots in Wellness
MACP (candidate), RP (qualifying)
Rufaro Gundu
Intern Therapist, Roots in Wellness
MACP (candidate), RP (qualifying)
Jennifer Lane
Clinical Director, Roots in Wellness
MACP, RP, (cert) OAMHP
