How to Navigate Mental Health Struggles Through The Holiday Season
While the holidays are meant to be a time of happiness and joy, for some they can be the total opposite. The added obligations, financial strain and emotional triggers can quickly turn a normally jolly season into one that is more daunting than anything. It’s common for people to report feeling anxious, overwhelmed, sad, apathetic, or lonely. In fact, nearly half of all adults in the United States report feeling stressed during the holidays. We know this all too well here at Sillon Wellness, and hope that the following tips can help you navigate the season in a way that prioritizes your mental health.
Set Realistic Expectations
Your holiday season doesn’t have to meet anyone’s expectations but your own. Set realistic expectations for yourself based on your personal limitations, based on your financial, emotional and physical needs. When you are honest about what you’re able to offer, you ease the burden on yourself before it starts.
Understand And Plan For Your Triggers
Often, we know exactly what causes us anxiety when it comes to the holidays. If those things can’t be avoided, they can at least be planned for. Recognize your triggers, watch for the early warning signs, and be prepared with a plan to cope in the moment.
Prioritize Self-Care
As you’re making your holiday lists, be sure to put yourself right at the top. Within the hustle and bustle of the busy season, it can be easy to let your needs slide. Prioritizing your self-care will help prepare you for the less than joyous aspects of the holidays. Treat yourself with plenty of rest, mind-calming activities and reasonable boundaries.
Remind Yourself What’s Important
It’s important to ask yourself what the holidays mean to you. While the true meaning can be blurred by added stressors and unreasonable expectations, you do not have to adhere to that out of a sense of obligation. Choose the traditions and festivities that align with your personal priorities and give yourself permission to say no to the things that don’t.
Give Yourself Grace
Be kind to yourself this holiday season. During a time of giving, the most important gift you can give is grace – to yourself. Let go of any feelings of guilt bestowed upon you by yourself or others, and give yourself permission to show up in exactly the way that works best for you.
Ask For Support
Lean on your friends and family when the holiday blues threaten to take over. Accept their help and their support to ease your worries – there’s no reason to do this alone.
Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Help
The holidays can be complicated, at times bringing with them stress, grief, sadness and anxiety. If you know the holidays can be trying for you, speaking with a professional can help. The team at Sillon Wellness is full of compassionate, experienced therapists who use a variety of science-backed methods aimed at helping you navigate the discomfort of the holiday season. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help you decide if we’re the right fit for helping you with the tools you need to make it through the season with more ease.
Find Support Through The Holidays in Texas
It’s normal for the holidays to bring on a mix of emotions, often combining joy with grief, excitement with anxiety, happiness with sadness. There’s an unspoken pressure to make everything seem perfect on the outside even if it’s wreaking havoc inside. This season, instead of being overwhelmed, it’s okay to choose your well-being. By preparing, enforcing boundaries and recognizing your own needs, you can ensure a holiday season that is easier to manage without compromising your mental health. If you’re in need of extra support this holiday season, the team at Sillon Wellness is right here for you when you need us. Contact us today to make sure you have the tools needed to create the holiday season you deserve.
Recent Posts
Get the latest mental health tips and resources from Sillon Wellness Services.
Summer is sold as the season of fun. And while it does bring sunshine, social events, and a much needed break from school, it can also bring unexpected stress for others.
Mental health conversations have gone mainstream, talked about more openly and honestly than we’ve seen. Despite the growing awareness, things still seem really hard for many of us.
Autism Awareness has certainly grown over time, becoming part of a more mainstream conversation. Social media has helped boost individual stories and voices, giving a real life look at what autism is.