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The festive season can have both positive and negative impact on mental health, although festive season is a time for joy and celebration but it can be challenging and stressful for people dealing with mental health issues leading to loneliness and other concerns. Below are some important points how the festive season impacts mental health.
Impact of Festive Season on Mental Health
- It can have positive impact on mental health by providing opportunities to reconnect with loved ones and foster a sense of belongingness and emotional support.
- It also encourages participation in cultural or religious traditions which brings joy, meaning and comfort.
- The festive atmosphere enhances the sense of gratitude, boosts mood and promote feelings of purpose and inclusiveness due to increased participation in community activities.
- For those without family or close friends, or those grieving the loss of loved ones, feelings of loneliness and negative thoughts can increase during festive season.
- It has a negative impact on people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)because shorter daylight hours during winter can contribute to depression.
- Increased consumption of alcohol or other substances which is amplified during holidays, can negatively affect mental health.
Since the holiday season might lead to a lot of mental health concerns, therefore it is important to consider the holiday season mental health tips in order to remain mentally healthy.
Holiday Season Mental Health Tips
Here are a few tips to help maintain mental health during the holiday season:
- Setting realistic expectations by prioritizing or choosing a set of activities or traditions that are most important to you.
- During this time, maintaining regular sleep, exercise and meal patterns is important to keep your body and mind balanced.
- The stress of the holiday season can be managed by sharing the responsibilities with family, friends and by engaging in deep breathing, meditation or yoga.
- Setting boundaries by limiting time with people or situations that may cause stress or discomfort helps in dealing with stress.
- Setting a budget plan and deciding on how much you can afford to spend will help you to address any financial pressure.
Holiday Season Mental Health Reminders
This season may be overwhelming and it may lead to various emotional concerns. Thus, reminding yourself to maintain a positive mental health state seems to create a perfect balance. Few holiday season mental health reminders are given below:
- Every emotion, joy, stress, grief, or loneliness whatever you are feeling is valid. You don’t have to feel a certain way because it’s the holidays.
- Setting boundaries and saying no to events, conversations and activities that drain your energy will help you to protect your energy and mental space.
- Focus on what is meaningful to you instead of trying to meet unrealistic expectations because the perfect holiday doesn’t exist.
- Connect with friends, family or you can seek help from a professional if you feel lonely.
- Be mindful of what you consume because excessive alcohol use can trigger anxiety or sadness.
Christmas Season Mental Health
The Christmas season is a wonderful time of togetherness and celebration, but it can bring challenges for mental health. Below are few points which will help you understand and manage mental well-being during the Christmas season.
Mental Health Challenges during Christmas
- Due to time constraints balancing work, family and holiday responsibilities may feel overwhelming.
- For those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, Christmas can be a challenging time because it may serve as a reminder of the absence of someone special, leading to feelings of grief and sadness.
- If you are dealing with anxiety, few stressors like social obligations and financial strain may be heightened during the Christmas season.
- The cultural portrayal of a “perfect Christmas” can lead to pressure and feelings of inadequacy if the actual celebration does not align with the unrealistic expectations.
- After the celebration and excitement of the festival, you may experience feelings of sadness and disappointment after you return to the regular routine.
Festive Anxiety
The festive season can bring about anxiety for many people. Various factors like unrealistic expectations, busy schedules and social obligations can create a stressful environment leading to anxiety. Few common causes of festive anxiety are given below:
- The social pressure to attend gatherings and increased interactions can heighten discomfort.
- The changes in sleep, diet and exercise during the festive season can negatively affect mental health and trigger anxiety.
- The unpleasant family dynamics can bring unresolved conflicts leading to stress and anxiety.
Signs of Festive Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping due to stress or anxiety
- Irritability or feeling emotionally overwhelmed
- Persistent worry or nervousness about holiday plans
- Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension or fatigue.
Festive anxiety can be managed with the help of following mental health tips for holiday season, engaging in self-care and relaxation practices and seeking professional care and support as and when required.
Overall, it is important to remember that although the festive season is a time for celebration, it can have negative impact on mental health if not managed properly. The constant and unrealistic pressure to celebrate it in a certain way should be avoided. Setting boundaries is a crucial aspect in maintaining and focusing positive mental health. Loneliness and isolation are common concerns during this time, therefore trying to manage and cope with the situation with the help of a professional is always encouraged, for which you can search for a therapist near me to find the appropriate support. Following the holiday season mental health tips will help to maintain a balanced emotional and psychological state.
With North America Behavioral Health Services, you have a trusted partner this holiday season!
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