While the holiday season is often associated with joy and celebration, it can also be a time of sadness and emotional challenges.
It’s important to remember that it is completely normal to experience a range of emotions during this season, and it’s okay to feel sad or overwhelmed.
The challenges and pressures we face during the year can be amplified at Christmas time. We hope the below strategies help your mental healthcare and allow you to find your feet this season and beyond.
Acknowledge your feelings
It’s important to acknowledge that it’s completely normal to feel anything from sad, lonely, exhausted to happy or hopeful during the holidays – or a mixture of all. Don’t put pressure on yourself to feel a certain way, this can make us feel worse. By labelling what we’re feeling, we’re validating our feelings and allowing ourselves the space to manage.
Set healthy boundaries
By setting healthy boundaries, we are honouring our own personal needs. Whether it’s saying no to an invite, leaving a party early, or simply taking less responsibility – it’s important to do things that benefit you and your mental health.
Make time to do things you enjoy
When our own mental health is in check, only then are we able to provide others with the support they may need. Allowing time to do things you enjoy, whether it’s for 5 minutes or 50, means you’re not pouring from an empty cup. Ensure you are allowing time for yourself over the holidays to truly rest, reflect and connect within, whatever that may look like.
Focus on things you can control
While it’s fun to indulge over the holidays, remember to stick to the basics and things you can control. It’s easy to spiral into thinking you must achieve millions of things over the holidays when all we should focus on are the things in our control. Things like moving our bodies, getting enough sleep, keeping hydrated and eating whole foods. While these may sound simple, they make the greatest impact, allowing us to shift the expectation mindset to set realistic, achievable goals.
Remember you are not alone
If pressure is taking a toll, remember you are not alone, and there is always someone there to support you – whether by a call, in-person or text message.
Local support
- Boronia Head to Health on 1800 595 212
24/7 support
- Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 113
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
Press release from Knox City Council. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
