The holidays can be a time to see family and celebrate together. Though, we acknowledge that this is not the Most Wonderful Time of Year for everyone.
64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse
We want to provide strategies to help people who may be feeling the stress during this holiday season.
- Normalize & Validate Your Feelings
- You may be experiencing a spectrum of emotions during this holiday season and that is normal. There are no rules that you have to feel a certain way because it is the holidays. It is OK to feel however you are feeling.
- Plan Ahead
- Develop a schedule of when you want to go shopping, see family & friends, bake/cook, and engage in self-care. Planning ahead can provide more control when feeling overwhelmed by the holidays.
- Continue with your established daily habits. It is important to maintain your sleep schedule, regular eating patterns, and hygiene/self-care when holiday stress increases.
- Identify and Implement Boundaries
- Financial stress can increase around the holidays. It is OK to identify and implement a budget. This may look like discussing with family members alternative avenues to gifts, such as planning time to spend time together or be creative with gift-making.
- It is OK to say no to family members, or walk away when they bring up conversations that lead to distress for you.
Resources
5 Things To Do When the Holidays Aren’t Exactly Uplifting | Mental Health America
Mental Health and the Holiday Blues | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping – Mayo Clinic
The Most Difficult Time of The Year: Mental Health During the Holidays | NAMI
