How To Care For Your Mental Health During The Holidays?

This is the season to be jolly. Or so they say. For some people, the holidays are a joyous time. It’s all about spending time with friends and family and sharing your appreciation for your blessings in life. Yet, others see the holidays as nothing more than an emotional battle. From feeling stressed and anxious about coping with loss or loneliness, there are a lot of life factors that can make what should be a happy time very difficult.

If you feel like the latter, you may be wondering how you’ll get through the next few weeks with your sanity intact. The good news is that no matter what you’re going through, there are ways to ease the emotional frustration that the holidays bring. Try some of these suggestions below:

Get Some Sleep

When you’re emotionally overwhelmed, it might seem impossible to get sleep. However, the less you rest the more difficult it is to manage your emotions. Your mind and body need sleep to operate efficiently. Sleep also helps to reduce cortisol, the hormone related to stress. Create a wind-down routine, make sure that your bedroom is conducive to sleep, and set a bedtime so that you’re getting at least 7-9 hours each night.

Set a Budget

One of the biggest emotional overwhelms during the holidays is finances. You’re wondering how you’re going to purchase gifts for your loved ones and/or fund a holiday gathering at your home. Many end up going into serious debt during this time of year.

You can relieve financial stress by creating a holiday budget. Sit down and review your regular household budget to see how much you can afford to spend. If you’re going to use credit cards or a loan, be sure that you can afford to repay what you borrow. Once you know how much you have to spend, divvy this amount up between the list of people you want to buy gifts for. If you don’t have much, there are plenty of affordable gift options that won’t break the bank.

Try CBD

Family gatherings can bring about a lot of anxiety. Though you love your family, some can be dysfunctional, toxic, and even intrusive. You may be nervous about having to explain why you’re single to your great aunt or talk about your divorce to your grandmother. Perhaps there’s a cousin that always puts you down or points out your flaws.

While you can’t change your family if getting together during the holidays causing you anxiety, CBD may be an effective solution. Derived from the marijuana plant, CBD is a chemical compound that works with the body’s natural systems to help regulate emotion. It has been proven to help ease some of the symptoms associated with anxiety. You can buy CBD in a pill, gummy, or tincture form.

Plan in Advance

The holidays are especially stressful for the host. Those having friends and family over to their homes stress about everything from the budget to the types of foods they’ll prepare. Wanting to make sure everyone has a good time you often run yourself ragged and fall into debt. The best way to ease this stress is to plan in advance. When you take the time to evaluate everything from the budget and decor to seating arrangements and menu, you’ll feel a lot more confident that everything is under control.

Steer Clear of Drugs and Alcohol

Around this time of year, you can find drugs and alcohol just about anywhere. While you may think it will help to calm your nerves, consuming these substances can exacerbate your emotions. Your anxiety, stress, or depression can become more intense making it impossible for you to relax and enjoy yourself. So, steer clear of all drugs and alcohol if you’re emotionally overwhelmed or suffering from mental illness. At the very least, drink responsibly.

Know-How to Calm Down

The above-referenced solutions can really help you take care of your mental health during the holidays. Be that as it may, there’s no guarantee that you won’t become emotionally overwhelmed at some point. The key is to identify when your emotions are getting out of hand, and have a method to help you recenter. Additionally, having a therapist can help you care and maintain your mental health as well. You can learn more about some of their therapists.

If you start feeling anxious, perhaps you take a few deep breaths in and out. If you’re starting to feel stressed, you could go for a drive or a quick walk around the block. If things really get out of hand, know when to take a break, remove yourself from the environment, or ask for help.

Though a great time of year, the holidays are not a happy time for everyone. If you find that this season causes you to stress, anxiety, or depression, utilize the solutions above to take care of your mental health.