The holiday season is a time when family, friends, and loved ones come together to celebrate. For many, the holidays are a joyous occasion. But for some, the holidays can be a difficult and stressful time. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed this holiday season, it’s important to take a step back and focus on taking care of your mental health.
Here are five tips to help reduce stress and take care of your mental health this holiday season.
1. Set realistic expectations
The holidays are often portrayed as being perfect. But in reality, the holidays can be chaotic and stressful. If you’re putting pressure on yourself to have the “perfect” holiday, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, focus on setting realistic expectations for yourself and your loved ones.
2. Make time for yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Between work parties, shopping for gifts, and attending holiday events, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. But it’s important to make time for activities that make you happy and help you relax. Whether it’s taking a yoga class, going for a walk in nature, or reading your favorite book, carving out time for yourself will help reduce stress and improve your mental health.
3. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Social media can be a breeding ground for comparison during the holidays. You may see friends and family posting about their vacations, new cars, or big plans for the future and start to compare yourself to them. But it’s important to remember that people only post the highlights of their life on social media—you don’t see the behind-the-scenes struggles that everyone goes through. So instead of comparing your life to what you see on social media, focus on enjoying your own life and being grateful for what you have.
4. Don’t forget your physical health
It’s easy to let our physical health fall by the wayside during the holidays, but it’s important to remember that our physical health impacts our mental health as well. Be sure to eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. These simple things will help reduce stress levels and promote feelings of happiness and well-being.
5. Seek professional help if needed.
If you find that your stress levels are unmanageable or you’re struggling with your mental health this holiday season, seek professional help from a therapist. For many people who have experienced a loss, the holidays can be a difficult and painful time. Grief is a natural response to loss, and it can be triggered by anything from the death of a loved one to the end of a relationship. Counseling can help to provide support and understanding during this difficult time. Counseling can also help to identify unhealthy coping mechanisms and develop new, healthier ways to deal with grief. If you are struggling with grief or stress this holiday season, consider reaching out to a counselor for help.
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, but it can also be a very stressful time for many people. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of taking care of your mental health. By following these five tips—setting realistic expectations, making time for yourself, not comparing yourself to others, tending to your physical health, and seeking professional help if needed—you can reduce stress and enjoy the holiday season more fully.
Begin Working With A Therapist in New Bern, NC
The holiday season can be equally stressful and joyful. Our therapists understand the stress you may experience this time of year. We would be honored to support you in making the most of it. Get started with therapy at our online counseling practice in New Bern, NC with these steps:
1. Fill out this consult form.
2. Read about our skilled anxiety therapists.
3. Begin making the most of the holiday season!
Other Services Offered With Renewed Wellness Counseling
Our team is happy to offer a variety of services in support of your mental wellness from our New Bern, NC-based practice. Our therapists specialize specifically in therapy for military families, chronic illness counseling, and addiction counseling. We also offer life transition counseling, anxiety treatment, and trauma therapy. In fact, we can help you wherever you are in the state with online therapy in North Carolina and South Carolina. Let’s work together to get you to a good place!