5 Mental Health Reminders To Help During The Holidays

We oftentimes put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make the holiday season a special time of the year, one that is meant to be joyful, fun and spent with family and friends.

However, the holidays can also be a hectic time and loaded with opportunities to neglect your own physical and mental well-being.

Ahead of this year's holiday season, we've gathered five important reminders to help you look out for your mental wellness throughout the season.

1. Keep Your Body Healthy: It's no surprise that when you feel sick, your mental health can also suffer. To give yourself the best chance of a happy holiday, make sure it's a healthy one by doing simple things like regularly washing your hands or keeping up with your exercise routine. Check out our list of things you can do to maintain your physical well-being over the holidays.
2. Remember To Be Present: You have likely been advised or even tried to be more present in your daily life, but what does it actually mean? "Being present" is being mindful and aware of not just what's happening around you but also be aware and acknowledging your own feelings. This will help you slow down and take more pleasure in conversations, connect better with your friends and loved ones and help relieve stress and anxiety, which are often at peak levels during the holidays. If you need some help, here are some tips on how to be more present and make the holiday season special.
3. Practice Gratitude: Practicing gratitude is something both spontaneous and deliberate and means to simply be thankful for what you have. Whether you are consciously grateful for a meal, a friend or even a nice sunset, practicing gratitude has been shown to reduce stress, help you experience healthier relationships and even improve your immune system. To help you practice gratitude, consider starting a daily journal and making note of the things, big or small, that bring you joy.
4. Set Healthy Boundaries: The holidays often bring with them this pressure to spend more time with family and purchase gifts. That's why Daniel Gillison, Jr., the CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, says it's important to set healthy boundaries for you and those around you. If you have a difficult time being around a family member for extended periods, it's OK to put some distance between you and that individual. If you are feeling stressed about spending money on gifts or going to the mall, it's OK to find other ways to give. Setting boundaries helps you acknowledge your feelings and interact with others in a healthy way that doesn't impact your wellness negatively.
5. Ask For Help: The spirit of the holiday season can also make us feel isolated and lonely. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text the national lifeline at 988 and connect with a counselor who can provide support and put you in touch with local resources.

The holidays can be a magical time of the year, but so much of that depends on your personal well-being. Whether you are dreading traveling or wondering how to grieve during what's supposed to be a cheerful time, there are strategies to help you embrace the season and be healthy.