Staying Mentally Healthy through the Holidays

December 13, 2024

 

Ten Tips for Managing the Season’s Stressors

By Katie Soule, Director of Social and Emotional Wellbeing, The Granite YMCA

This is it, the thick of the holiday season. Caring for ourselves and others during this time of year can be tricky. Try these tips to help you stay mentally well throughout the holidays.

Care for Yourself

The things we do to care for our mind, body, and spirit matter daily—especially this time of year. Taking time each day to fuel, move, and rest your body—along with connecting with yourself and others—will help provide you with the physical and emotional energy you need this season.

Make a List and Check It Twice

There is much to do this season; shopping, wrapping, decorating, entertaining, and food preparation. A tried-and-true method of staying on top of tasks is to get them written down or typed up. Writing things down and making a list helps us to remember a task and keeps us on track. And who doesn’t like to check off something on their list? Try a note-taking or list-making app for your phone so you’ll always have your list with you.

Make Non-Monetary Memories

New Hampshire offers many holiday-themed activities and events this time of year and many of them are free to enjoy with friends and family. Attending these events is a great way to make memories, share in the community, and avoid adding additional expenses during the season. Engaging in free or low-cost activities also allows more folks to participate in an inclusive way.

Honor Your Boundaries and the Boundaries of Others

Prentis Hemphill, author of What it Takes to Heal, says, “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.” While many of us struggle with boundaries, such as being firm on what you will and won’t do or being clear about how you’d like to engage is a critical step for protecting your peace. Enacting boundaries for yourself and honoring the boundaries of others is an act of love.

Accept the Unexpected

Without a doubt, plans oftentimes change. Some folks handle such things with ease, while others may struggle to bounce back after plans get hijacked or canceled. Accept that something unexpected or unplanned may happen. By moving toward acceptance, we gift ourselves the present of being less affected by plans changing.

Seek Wonder and Joy

One of the reasons that this time of year is a favorite for so many is for the joy and wonder that the holidays bring. If that resonates with you, that’s great. If you feel about a million miles away from Joy Street or Wonder Avenue, this tip is for you. Visit with these feelings where and when you can. Engage in activities that have a sentimental and/or nostalgic value for you. This might mean watching a favorite holiday movie from your childhood, whipping up your grandmother’s famous latkes, or driving around with hot cocoa to check out the Christmas lights on display. Try to make space for these experiences and the positive emotions that follow.

Lean Into Your People

Connection with other people is, perhaps, the most pressing human need. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, making time for those soul-fueling relationships is a priority. Leaning into the space of connection with people who see us and who we can be ourselves around is another tool to put fuel in your emotional gas tank this season.

Remember That Comparison Is the Thief of Joy

This adage, credited to Theodore Roosevelt, rings true more today than ever before. Picture this, you’re scrolling on social media platforms, enjoying some of your preferred content and giggling at some reels, and then feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and envy start to bubble up. Why don’t you have a mantle to decorate? Will your family photos look that cute? Are they traveling again? Be mindful of social media consumption through the holidays. A social media page is a person’s curated version of life, in most cases, where images and videos are selected to showcase a best-case scenario. This is easy to forget if you catch yourself doom-scrolling.

Gratitude Is a Practice Worth Trying

Taking the time to slow down and appreciate things, big and small, is a sort of human superpower. Even thinking of one thing every day that you are grateful for can help shift your perspective. Another bonus? Gratitude is a practice you can share! “Studies have found that a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness and a 35% reduction in depressive symptoms.” (MHFA, 2022)

Know That You Are Not Alone

This season is not easy for many people. Some may experience lows during the holiday season. If you know someone like this, please check in on them. If you may be one of those folks yourself, you are seen. You are not alone. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, please do not hesitate to reach out to the New Hampshire Rapid Response Access Point at (833) 710-6477 or send a text to the National Hopeline at 741741.

If you are seeking connection, looking for family-friendly winter fun, or don’t know where to start, please stop by your local YMCA location where all are welcome. We work to build a healthy mind, body, and spirit using our core values of honesty, respect, caring, and responsibility. We look forward to meeting you!


References

The Granite YMCA