The holidays can be a source of joy and celebration, yet they can also be overwhelming and overstimulating. To make sure you have a mentally healthy holiday, it’s important to plan ahead and set boundaries in order to take care of yourself. Here are some tips on how to have a healthy and meaningful holiday season.
Plan Ahead
Creating a plan ahead of time is key for making sure that you don’t get overwhelmed during the holidays. Take the time to look at your schedule and see what events you can realistically commit to. This way, you won’t feel like you have to be everywhere at once. If there’s an event or gathering that you don’t think will be beneficial for your mental health, then it’s okay to opt-out or reschedule it for another time. It can also be helpful to create a budget; even if money isn’t an issue, it’s important not to go overboard with spending so you don’t end up feeling regretful after the holidays are over.
Set Boundaries
The holidays are often filled with family gatherings, parties, shopping, gift-giving—all of which can easily become overwhelming and stressful if we don’t practice setting healthy boundaries. If there is someone in your life who causes stress or anxiety when around them, it may be best to limit your interactions with them during the holidays so that these feelings don’t consume all of your energy. Having realistic expectations when interacting with people during this time period is also important; no one is perfect and disagreements are going to happen—but remember that it’s okay not to engage in heated conversations or debates if things start getting too intense or uncomfortable. When setting boundaries for yourself and others, always remember that communication is key!
Take Care of Yourself
Remembering self-care practices during the holidays is essential for maintaining good mental health. Making sure that you’re getting enough sleep each night and eating healthy meals throughout the day can help keep stress levels low and give you more energy throughout the
week. Taking breaks from social media scrolling allows us time for reflection and relaxation; it might even help us reconnect with our loved ones in more meaningful ways. Additionally, taking part in activities that bring us joy—whether it’s reading a book or going on a walk outside—can provide us with a much-needed respite from all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
The holidays should be filled with love, laughter, and memories—not stressors! Taking steps towards having a mental health-safe holiday requires planning ahead, setting reasonable boundaries both for yourself and those around you, as well as taking care of yourself first before anyone else! With these tips in mind, hopefully, this holiday season will bring more joy than overwhelm! Happy Holidays!