How to Protect Your Mental Health This Holiday Season

Be realistic with your expectations for your holiday and don’t feel the pressure of society for “perfection.”

Mental health is a big topic in our society, and so many people struggle with mental health issues. This issue is especially worsened by the hustle and bustle of the holiday season when everyone is supposed to be happy and life is portrayed as wonderful.

Everyone is dealing with something. Often when we think of mental health, we think about those suffering with issues like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder. However, there are all kinds of mental health issues that people live with: mild, moderate, and severe. This time of year is especially important for all of us to check our mental health. Here are some ways to protect yours this holiday season:

1. Identify Your Holiday Triggers

Before the season even starts, sit down and write out your holiday triggers. This could be anything from a song that brings back memories, a toxic relative you don’t want to be around, or a tradition. Then write different ways to navigate the thing that triggers you.

2. Give Yourself Permission to Feel Your Emotions

There is this expectation by society that this is the most wonderful time of the year and everyone is happy and sentimental. Sadly, that is not how it is for everyone. The holidays can be an extremely painful time for some people and that’s okay.

When you get emotional over something, pause and let yourself feel that emotion. Cry, scream, wail, whatever you need to do. By feeling it and processing it, you can help yourself find some peace and feel more free.

3. Limit or Take a Break from Social Media

Social media is always ripe with pictures of the “perfect life.” The holidays are no exception. Take a break from social media during December. You will thank yourself later.

If you can’t take a total break from social media, limit yourself to checking your accounts twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Also, turn off the notifications on your phone when you get a like, comment, or message. You may even want to send a message to your friends and family about your intentions.

4. Practice Self-compassion

The holidays can lead us to be more critical of ourselves, so have some compassion for yourself. Talk to yourself like you would a good friend, giving yourself compliments and a pep talk on hard days.

5. Focus on What You Can Control

The holiday season is full of events, commitments, and all the regular things that take up our time. Instead of letting this season make you feel out of control, focus on what you can control.

Spend a limited amount of time with relatives you’re not fond of. No one says you have to stay the whole day. Say “yes” to what you want to take part in this season and “no” to what you don’t. Make sure you spend an hour a day doing something you love or relaxing. These are all things you can control.

6. Maintain Healthy Habits

If you have adopted some healthy habits this year, keep them up and let nothing derail you from them. Make sure you eat healthy, get enough sleep, drink enough water, and manage your stress.

7. Spend Time with Positive Friends and Family

Take some time to hang out with friends and family with a positive attitude. They will help lift your spirits and keep you grounded when life gets chaotic.

8. Take the Dog for a Walk

Take your best friend out for a walk to get some exercise and spend some time with your own thoughts. If you’re like most pet parents, we talk to our fur babies regularly. While on your walk, talk to your furry best friend. They are always brilliant listeners. This is a great way to find some clarity and come up with a solution to anything that is bothering you.

9. Create New Traditions

Make some new traditions within your family to help you spend more time together. Take stock of Christmas traditions of the past and how they made you feel. If you find they stressed you out too much, find some new traditions.

10. Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it from friends and family. There is no shame in reaching out for professional help with your mental health, either.

11. Write a Gratitude List and Offer Thanks

Each night, make a gratitude list and thank the Lord for all he has done, is doing, and will do for you in the future.

12. Manage Your Time Reasonably

Don’t overextend yourself this season, manage your time, and don’t be afraid to say “no”.

13. Be Realistic

Be realistic with your expectations for your holiday and don’t feel the pressure of society for “perfection.”

14. Pray and Spend Deliberate Time with Jesus

Carve out some time every day to pray and spend time with Jesus. It's easy to lose sight of this amidst our obligations, everyday routines, and the busyness of the season. However, he is the first one we need to go to when we have a problem or anything else we need help with.

15. Practice Relaxation

Make sure you take some time to relax every day. This could be a bubble bath, sitting in silence, or going for a walk.

16. Eat Well

This season is full of sweet treats, sugary beverages, and alcohol. Be mindful of what you’re eating and choose healthier options. Too much sugar can cause elevated blood pressure and heighten anxiety, so be mindful of what you eat.

17. Spend Some Time in Nature

Go out for a walk in nature and take in all the beautiful things the Lord has created for us.

18. Stay on Top of Medication and Therapy

If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, ensure that you stay on top of your medications and regularly attend therapy sessions.

19. Volunteer

Take some time to volunteer somewhere and give your brain a mental break from your personal struggles.

20. Be Creative

Take some time to be creative, like writing, painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. When we spend time on our passions, it relaxes us and helps us have a brighter outlook on life.

21. Make a Plan

Think about making a plan for when you feel stressed, lonely, or sad. What will you do? This could include calling a friend, going for a walk, or watching your favorite movie. By planning, you will know how you are going to handle these emotions when they crop up. You could also connect with a community through a church, support group, or community center to help ease your loneliness.

The Christmas season can be mentally hard for all of us. Some of us may be over-anxious from all our commitments. It may depress others over the death of a loved one, and still others have to manage more complex issues. Take some time to make a plan on how to protect your mental health this holiday season.