The holidays are a wonderful time to gather with friends and family, but it’s also a potential mental health struggle with everything going on and the colder weather conditions. Whether you’re traveling to visit loved ones or waiting for them to come to you, it’s vital to understand how to maintain your mental health during the holidays.
From getting out in the sun to creating an escape plan, there are ample ways to protect your mental state while remaining thankful for all those around you. Keep reading to learn more about our highest recommended tactics for keeping yourself mentally healthy.
Get In the Sun When Possible
One of the best ways to boost mental health is to get out into the sun when possible. Protect yourself with sunscreen, but ensure you don’t fear letting the sunlight hit your skin. The sun increases levels of Vitamin D in the body and can increase serotonin in the brain, making you happier.
Sun can mean reading a book on the porch in the morning, taking a stroll after a meal, or stepping outside to enjoy the warmth while drinking a morning cup of coffee. For short periods throughout the day, enjoy rays of light for your mental health.
Be Around People
Social connections are vital. While it might seem better to stay away from people during the holidays, especially if you are feeling sad, social connections are essential for your mental health. According to one study, adults who have more social connections have a lower risk of depression, high blood pressure, and gaining unhealthy weight.
Even if you don’t have family, find a group of peers to surround yourself with during this time. The more people you have in your life to chat with and bounce off of, the easier it will be to stay mentally healthy.
Have you recently lost someone? There’s no shame in getting help for your grief! Find out more in our article Dealing with Loss During the Holidays.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
It’s easy to overwhelm yourself with all the activities and socialization opportunities during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond. Getting overwhelmed can lead to stress, which can lead to anxiety, depression, withdrawal, irritability, trouble concentrating, and more. It’s vital to avoid that at every moment.
If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a step back. Enjoy a nap, take a walk, and wait until you are in a better state before going at it again. It might seem more enjoyable to push yourself, but it isn’t worth it in the long run.
Set Realistic Budget Expectations
One of the most stressful aspects of the holidays is money. If you have lots of loved ones and family members, you can quickly go broke purchasing gifts. Don’t push yourself to purchase more than you need and ensure you set a strict budget limit to keep your mental health in check and enjoy the gift-giving process.
Write out all the people you want to purchase gifts for and set a monetary limit for them. Once you’ve established these details, don’t break the budget expectations. It will provide well-needed order and structure for your brain.
Need more ideas for affordable gifts? Check out our article Giving Gifts on a Low Budget.
Know Your Limits
Always know your limits, especially as an older adult. Every person is different. Some might be able to go for a long time at social events without crashing, while others can only take a little bit at a time before it’s break time. Don’t push yourself past what is doable to keep your mental health in a stable position.
It might be helpful to inform someone of your limits. If you know how far you’re able to make it, inform them when it’s time to take a break so they can help you remove yourself from the situation and rest to keep the holiday fun going for longer.
Don’t Create a Fantasy
It’s easy to make the holidays a fantasy, especially if you’ve spent years and years with loved ones. Unfortunately, the reality that comes out less exciting than a fantasized idea is a recipe for disaster in mental health. While it might be fun, try not to set massive expectations before anything occurs.
There is nothing wrong with having plans and coming up with activities or slight expectations and hopes during this time. However, try to have a mindset that’s prepared to go with the flow instead of putting pressure on yourself and everyone else for perfection.
Create An Escape Plan
If necessary, it’s good to have an escape plan to keep your brain protected. That might mean having a caretaker prepared to escort you out or going on a walk when things get overwhelming. Grab an activity for yourself to undertake if your mental health begins waning.
Options include doing a crossword puzzle, talking with a specific grandchild, taking a walk, heading to the kitchen, and more. Pick something that will calm you down and allow you to gently pull yourself back into the moment.
Share Joyful Memories
According to one study, those who are joyful are typically healthier and happier. The holidays tend to bring around sad moments when remembering loved ones who aren’t there anymore, so try sharing some happy memories of the past to reflect on how you got to this point and happily remember those who came before.
Try talking about them around the dinner table, on a walk, or while you spend time together in the evening. They can be about people, places, events, or anything significant. The more you reflect on happiness, the better your mental health.
Breathe When Possible
One final recommendation is to breathe whenever possible. Every human breathes throughout the day, but it’s rare to do complete, intentional breaths. Breathing makes it possible to lower stress and could even assist with the risk of some diseases in the body. It’s worth it to slow down and breathe.
Whether you’re feeling stressed or relaxed throughout the day, take the time to take several large breaths in and out. The flow will benefit the body and assist with your mental health. This tactic is especially beneficial if you feel stress invading your holiday season.
Don’t forget to also stay active! Yoga can be amazing for mental health. Find out more in our article Yoga for Mental Health.
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