How to prioritize your mental health over the holidays
We typically think of the holidays as a joyous and celebratory season, but the truth is that for many of us, the holidays bring about additional stress and mental health challenges that can feel overwhelming. Additional stress can come from several different places like worries about family conflict, unease about social anxiety, or apprehension about finances.
A recent poll by Chartered Professional Accountants Canada reported that a staggering 94% of Canadians are feeling worries about financial stress, many relying on credit cards to get them through. With recent rises in the cost of living, Canadians have been feeling all sorts of stress before factoring in the additional pressures of the 2024 holiday season.
The good news is that you’re not alone and we have some tips to help manage and protect your mental health.
Maintaining healthy boundaries
Try to remember this holiday that making the memories and doing things that are important to you matter, whatever they might be.
Ask yourself what activities or traditions are important to you and make those a priority this season.
Practice setting those boundaries. Don’t make commitments if they don’t spark joy. This might mean turning down that holiday party, or letting your family know that you’ll be there for dinner but won’t be staying the night.
Moderation is key- find your balance!
If financial stress is taking centre stage this season, try making a holiday budget and sticking to it. Planning ahead can help you to feel more in control. Also keep in mind that gift-giving is not needed to show that you care, try not to let the pressure to gift cause anxiety or over-spending and consider alternatives like hand-writing a Christmas card instead.
If you love the holiday events but find it all too exhausting, prioritize a few, and decline the rest. Don’t let FOMO (the fear of missing out) prevent you from taking that much needed down time this season.
Don’t forget about self-care, this is non-negotiable! The self-care practices that you usually turn to can help you to stay centered and manage added stress. If you regularly exercise, meditate or journal, don’t abandon these over the holidays.
Goal setting & staying positive
With the new year just around the corner, this is a great time to sit down and contemplate goals for the upcoming year. Putting your goals in writing is one way to help foster a positive mindset, improve your mental health and foster self-awareness.
As silly at it may sound, intentionally being positive is a beneficial tool to practice during times of added stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to practice gratitude by shifting your focus to the positive things in your life.
Remember that mindset is key- maintaining a positive outlook can help you manage. This could look like making an extra effort this holiday season to do things that make you happy, and then focus on those feel-good-feelings.
Remember that you’re not alone
Movies and social media depict holidays as jam-packed, balancing events with friends, coworkers and family. Remember that this is not the reality for many of us. Try not to compare with others or their highlight reels.
If the holidays feel especially isolating or lonely, try reaching out to someone important in your life, they could be feeling the same way. If this isn’t an option or it feels too hard, remember that help is only a phone call away.
The holidays aren’t magical for everyone, reaching out for mental health support over the coming weeks could be the answer you’re looking for to help you manage. You deserve to feel supported, and we’re here to help.
For more tips about managing holiday stress and prioritizing your mental wellness, subscribe to our blog, follow us on social media, and join our community by booking a therapy session today.
