How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During the Holidays

 

(Photos by @kaitpatricia)

Are things always merry and bright during the holidays?

No, and unfortunately, the stress and nonideal circumstances that come up during the holiday season are the result of things outside of our control. 

This year is different though. 

Families aren’t able to see each other because of the coronavirus pandemic. With cases continuing to spike in different regions, chances are many families will be spending the holidays apart from each other. 

This presents a new problem, or rather existing, amplified problems:

• Anxiety
• Loneliness
• Depression
• Emptiness

Whether you’re spending the holidays alone or with family (safely), your mental health is important. Seasonal depression already exists so we need to be extra attentive to our needs during a holiday pandemic or family visits. 

Here are some tips to help you take care of your mental health during the holidays.

TIP #1: Evaluate your day and identify what’s causing you stress or grief.

Sometimes our mental health is more vulnerable when we don’t realize what’s causing us to think or feel a certain way. Narrowing down the causes that are causing your day to go belly up can help you come up with the right solutions or actions to take.

TIP #2: Know that you’re allowed to set boundaries.

Toxic relationships exist in families, too. Just because we’re blood doesn’t mean we’re deserving of the stress and grief put on us by our families. If you find yourself in a situation that requires boundaries being set, know that you can do the same thing with you family member(s).

TIP #3: Schedule a few virtual therapy sessions.

Seeking advice from a professional may provide more relief than you expect. It helps to have someone you can speak to without judgment, and with the current pandemic, virtual therapists are more accessible than ever.  

TIP #4: Zero in on your self-care schedule.

Balance each day during the holiday season with an act of self-care. The Self Care Planner can get you started with three pages of self-care ideas and calendars where you assign a minimum of one self-care act each day. 

TIP #5: Reserve two hours for yourself each day.

With the busyness of the holiday season, the exhaustion you might feel this time of year may be the result of being around people too much. You need some alone time! Set aside at least two hours a day for yourself. Make your own plans. Take a nap. Whatever you need to do, do it in those two hours. 

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the holiday season doesn’t just require patience towards others, but patience towards yourself. If you feel like your mental health is wavering, don’t ignore it. Acknowledge it and come up with steps - big or small - to take from there. It’s going to be a process but it’s worth it!

The Lovet Planners team wishes you a happy holiday season and sends big hugs your way! If you want to keep up to date with the latest blog posts, make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter: CLICK HERE NOW.