If you’re experiencing some stress or working through depression, then you might feel anxious about the holiday season. While the festivities can be exciting, they can also leave you nerve-wracking about various things, such as shopping for gifts and traveling, especially if you’re already feeling emotionally drained or dealing with loss. To help you cope with the tensions you may feel this time of year, here are five tips for managing stress and depression during the holidays.
Give Yourself a Break
One of the best things you can do during an exciting and stressful time is to prioritize joy and simplify your activities. If a task seems too daunting or tense, try doing something simpler. This also includes your interactions with people and family members, as there may be someone who’s mistreated you or seems to always make a situation unpleasant. When this happens, it’s okay to walk away and give yourself space to relax. You can also say no if there’s a place or activity you don’t want to be involved in.
Get Plenty of Sunlight & Fresh Air
Being outside in the sun and breathing in fresh air is one of the simplest ways to help you relax and lift your spirit. In some cases, people might experience deeper feelings of depression during the winter months, when there’s less sunlight and too much time spent indoors. Spending some of your day surrounded by nature can benefit your mental health greatly, such as improving stress relief, concentration, and energy levels.
Avoid Overspending for the Holidays
While the holidays have a tradition of sharing gifts between people, some may find it stressful for their financial situation. To avoid feeling down about your money or becoming anxious about your bank account, it’s best to focus more on spending time with loved ones and showing affection. If you want to give a gift, consider homemade/handmade presents that carry significant meaning to those receiving them.
Practice Mindfulness & Meditation
Mindfulness can be an incredibly effective mental tool for those struggling with a difficult situation. This is the practice of meditating on your present moment, which can be helpful during certain activities, such as traveling or when dealing with a stressful schedule. While some online resources and apps can get you started with this, you can also visit your psychiatrist for guidance.
Continue Going to Therapy
Although the holiday season can get quite busy for some, you’ll want to keep up with your scheduled therapy appointments during this time. This will allow you to get the treatment you need while ensuring that you have time to work through your situation. If you’re planning on traveling, be sure to ask your therapist about virtual meetings so you can maintain your progress.
While dealing with stress and depression can be challenging during the holidays, remember that you aren’t alone. Speak with friends and family members that you trust, and keep these tips in mind, that way you can effectively navigate through the festivities while improving your mental health!
About the Practice
At Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center, we want to ensure our patients receive the highest quality and convenient care they deserve. We offer multiple ways of easy contact with our team, and we’re happy to work with insurance companies so that you can make the most of our services. If you’d like to know more ways to manage stress and depression during the holiday season or you wish to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call us at 908-923-3483.
