We’re finally approaching the most wonderful time of the year– and for many people, that means they’re about to be faced with some of their toughest days. The winter holidays are hectic and stressful, with busy schedules, tense time spent with family, errands and preparations, and so much more. With all of these contributing stressors, it’s very easy to see why so many people struggle with their mental health around the holidays.
If thinking about the space of time between Thanksgiving and New Years makes your stomach churn, you’re not alone. Furthermore, you don’t have to suffer through this stress without help! With the right methods and plans, you can manage your anxiety like a champ this holiday season. Here are some good places to start!
Set Boundaries
Families can be messy; that’s just a simple fact of life, and while it can be incredibly joyful to gather with the people closest to you at this time of year, it can also be incredibly upsetting. Your family members can stress you out and push your buttons like no one else in the world, and so setting and maintaining boundaries is essential to get through that upcoming dinner or party.
It’s important to remember that boundaries are a rule you set between yourself and another person about how you will react to best protect yourself in a situation with them, not what they are “allowed” to do. You can ask them not to bring up politics or talk about your weight from now until next year’s holidays, but that doesn’t make them listen, and it isn’t a boundary. A boundary looks like saying to a person, for example, “It upsets me when you make comments about my weight. If you keep doing that, I’m going to walk away and talk to someone else,” or “If you and Uncle Jim can’t keep politics out of the conversation at this year’s party, then the kids and I are going to go home.” Once you’ve said this and set your boundary, stick to it. Your family might not like it, but doing this will protect your mental health and keep you from dealing with overly stressful interactions.
Practice Mindfulness
Stress and anxiety can often take you out of your body and make it impossible to feel anything besides overwhelming nervousness, fear, or discomfort. Mindfulness helps to reverse that effect and helps you maintain your calm!
Try setting aside a moment every day to concentrate only on the present: the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations, your physical and emotional feelings, and the thoughts that are going through your mind. Don’t focus on trying to wrangle your thoughts into some semblance of “good” or “productive” and don’t get too stressed about distractions– just keep calmly refocusing yourself on the here and now. This can be incredibly helpful in reducing stress and helping you keep your perspective during busy, anxious times!
Create a Solid Routine
During hectic times like the holidays, taking care of yourself can easily slip through the cracks, which is why it’s so important to prioritize it! In order to put yourself in the best possible position to handle the next few months, schedule time into your day to ensure that you’re maintaining healthy routines, such as exercising and spending time outside, getting enough sleep, and eating nutrient-dense foods.
It’s also important to keep up on self-care activities like journaling, meditation, reading, walking, or any other activity that helps you feel calmer, more relaxed, and less stressed. If you don’t have a hobby or practice like this, it might be a good idea to look into starting one!
Develop an Anxiety Toolbox
No matter how well-adjusted you are, life can occasionally throw you a curveball, and how you respond to the stressors and emotions on tough days can have a significant impact on your overall mental health. It can be easier to ride out the waves of negative emotions and get through hard times like anxiety attacks or stressful situations if you have a set of coping skills to fall back on.
Techniques like journaling, painting, meditation, or exercise are all great healthy coping mechanisms, but so are the simple ones that you can use in the moment, like breathing techniques or grounding exercises. Practice these skills in moments where you’re feeling good, and you’ll be better prepared to break them out when you’re feeling overwhelmed!
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, managing your mental health is just too challenging on your own, and while coping mechanisms and the development of healthy habits can be helpful, it might take a little more to get you feeling better. In these situations, getting the help you need, such as seeking counseling or taking medication, is what is best for you. Taking care of yourself and seeking treatment when you need it is the foundation of self care, and that’s something you deserve to do!
If you’re interested in learning more about managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues like depression, continue to read our blog here for more tips!
