Mind your mental health in the holiday season

BY DANIELLE D. SHOLCOSKY

As fun and festive as the season is, it can also be quite stressful, whether you’re looking for the perfect gift, throwing a party, or getting together with family members.

For others, the holidays can be a genuinely unhappy time, due to loneliness or the recent loss of a loved one.

With all of this in mind, here are some mental health tips that can get you through the holiday season and serve as good New Year’s resolutions for 2023.

Here are a few worth considering.

Refrain from excessive consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. People tend to drink more during the holidays, but excessive use of alcohol, drugs, and prescription drugs can lead to elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and even psychosis.

Be sure to stay on top of your physical health as a way to support your overall mental health. Exercise regularly, get a good night’s sleep, and do your best to maintain a healthy diet. I know the latter can be particularly difficult to make around the holidays, given the abundance of delicious treats to choose from at the festive table.

Spend as much time as possible socializing with family and friends, especially those who bring you the most joy. And don’t be afraid to share your feelings, emotions, and pain with them, or even a therapist, if you feel it’s warranted.

Be sure to invest in personal care. That means refraining from self-criticism, finding time for hobbies and other things that make you happy, and taking an hour each day to spend time for yourself and only you. While you’re at it, practice some mindfulness techniques that can really benefit you mentally, and consider keeping a gratitude/self-appreciation journal.

Volunteer for a local organization or non-profit organization – Doing good for others can really make you feel great around the holidays, and it certainly fits with the giving nature of the season.

Limit your social media and computer time. This is something we should all do, no matter what time of year.

Set a holiday budget that allows for spending on gifts, but keep it manageable and accountable during these inflationary times.

Use your New Year’s resolution to set small goals.

Allow mistakes, changes and successes to serve as learning experiences for personal growth. Over time, those things can help you become the best version of yourself.

Meanwhile, I have not forgotten about the children. Here are some tips to keep in mind for your children and teens during the holidays:

Maintain daily sleep habits.

Check in with them every day for possible changes in mood or behavior.

Monitor their use of the Internet and social networks to detect possible bullying situations, stressors, security problems, etc.

Make sure they are physically active every day and encourage them to practice breathing and relaxation techniques.

Tell them about your day. This allows them to practice and develop their critical thinking and active listening skills. And it shows them that you care about what’s going on in their lives.

This one is pretty obvious, but make sure you spend as much quality time with them as possible, whether you’re watching a Christmas movie, baking cookies, or going to a concert or game. After all, it is the season for family togetherness.

Let’s all do our part to make sure we have an enjoyable holiday season. That means taking care of ourselves and those around us. That is truly the best gift we can give. Happy Holidays!

Danielle D. Sholcosky is director of integrating behavioral health and therapist services at the Wright Center for Community Health.