How to Support Your Mental Health During the Holidays

The holidays are a notoriously challenging time for our mental health. All that blasted merriness and togetherness. I’m an author whose stories all revolve around mental health or lack thereof, and I have some tried and true suggestions for getting through the “season” without having your head explode. Effective coping tools in your toolkit are a big part of tending your mental health. The secret weapons are gratitude, kindness, and self-care.

Try the following:

-Go for a walk. Even 5-10 minutes.

-Better yet, go for a long walk, bike ride, or do some other form of good exercise.

-Pamper yourself:

Take a hot bath

Read a good book

Watch a new series or movie with popcorn and hot chocolate.

Treat yourself to a nice meal or small present (that won’t break the bank).

-Think of five things you are truly grateful for. Write them down. Repeat daily until further notice.

-Paint a picture, make a quilt, take artsy photos, journal, compose a song or poem, or write a story about someone overcoming a difficult holiday—(or maybe their head explodes).

-If you’re invited somewhere, go! Make an effort to talk to at least several people.

-Adopt a politically neutral and emotionally positive (possibly silent) stance for any family gatherings.

Remember that even though it looks like everyone else is having fun, they may be struggling, too.

-Reach out to someone who’s alone or might be feeling the same crappy way. Take them some gingerbread men.

-Make a date with an old or new friend for a walk or coffee. Or tequilla shots.

-Avoid social media. Seriously, it does little to help your mental health even under the best of circumstances. Present post excepted.

-Focus on children. Your own or others. Check out local toy drives or other ways to support those kids who may not have happy holidays.

-Donate to a local food drive.

-Consider visiting a church, synagogue, mosque, or other places of worship and spiritual focus, and attempt connection with something beyond yourself. If not now, when?

-If you feel like you’re lacking important connections and missing events, make a list of what you could do to change this. Consider steps in that direction.

Where to find more serious support during the holidays:

-Make a date (appointment) with a life coach or a therapist. Check out more affordable online options.

-If you’re feeling overwhelmed and/or in crisis, call 988. It’s anonymous, confidential, and available 24/7, i.e. all major holidays.

-If you’re worried about someone you believe is feeling overwhelmed and in crisis, call 988 again.

Hang in there, cookie. There are bright spots in these dark days if you’re open to them, and the Happy Holidays will be over soon.