Plenty of people are continuing the holidays with Christmas in the rearview and New Year’s just around the corner, but mental health advocates are urging people to make sure they’re taking care of themselves over the season.
While the holidays are a meaningful time of the year, Envision Counselling and Support Centre Communications Specialist Raven Daer says they can also bring some negative thoughts.
“The holidays can absolutely be a meaningful time of year, but with that, they can also bring a lot of stress, grief, from maybe potentially loss of loved ones this past year, lifestyle changes, financial strain, or even just the pressure to feel festive.”
“For some, it’s a reminder of loved ones that they’ve lost, relationships that have changed, maybe they’re feeling a little bit overwhelmed by the social expectations of all the things that we need to be doing, all the stuff that we see on social media, maybe thinking, you know, I’m not doing enough.”
Daer says that it’s important to know that even during the holiday season, it can be normal not to feel the spirit.
“It’s just important to normalize that you don’t have to feel joyful all the time, and your feelings are definitely valid this time of year.”
Social media can compound that effect, with Dair saying that expectations for the holidays might be set too high by some posts.
“Just focus on lowering those expectations and being grateful for the things that you do have. If that is just sipping some hot chocolate while looking at some of the Christmas lights that other folks in your community have put on display, or watching one of those holiday movies, if it gives you those feel-good vibes, not setting the bar too high so that you feel like you are coming and falling short.”
Daer says it’s also important to reach out to people even over the holidays, whether to friends and family or a professional.
People should also be ready to move obligations off their plates so they can have a healthier holiday.
“My number one recommendation is remembering that it is okay to say no. If it is something that is going to add stress to your plate or make you feel overwhelmed, you absolutely have the right to say no and just take a step back this year. Whether that’s big social gatherings and interactions, engaging in gift giving, and those sorts of things, we’re absolutely okay to say no if that means that it’s protecting our mental health and wellness.”
Daer says the best way you can help out others during the holiday season is to check in with friends and family and listen to their problems without judgment.
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