Mental Health: December, Christmas And The Holiday Season

December and the Christmas season can be an emotionally taxing time for anyone, but even more so for people who struggle with mental illnesses. The month is definitely one of changes and high-energy. The days are shorter and darker, people are gearing up for Christmas and other holidays, it’s the wrap up of a year, and it brings in a new one.

So how should you take care of your Mental Health throughout December and the Christmas holidays?

As someone who is persistently living, it’s not always easy to create a life I love during a month that is emotionally and physically exhausting. That’s why I try to come up with a few helpful tips to help myself cope so I can make it the best one I can at my own pace.

I thought I’d share a few of my new tips for taking care of your mental health throughout December and the holiday season. Also, you can check out these tips I had from last year about dealing with Christmas and the Holiday season when you’re not really feeling into the holiday spirit.

Accept That It’s a Difficult Month

Set the tone for the month by acknowledging that it’s a difficult month for you, but also for a lot of other people. It sounds like a negative approach to the month, but it’s not!

By accepting this, you do two things: You set things into perspective and you make yourself feel less alone. You know that it’s just one month out of many others in the year–so it’s not like it goes on forever. And then you also feel like you’re part of a group that shares similar feelings of difficulty.

I’m sure there are discussion boards, Facebook groups, Twitter chats and other blogs out there that are creating conversations about the difficulties in the month. You may feel inclined to join in the conversations to talk about coping mechanisms or feelings, or just to bounce ideas off other people who are going through similar feelings.

But there’s also a very positive outcome to accepting that December is a difficult month: When the good days, hours or moments come along, they feel so much better!

Be Extra Kind To Yourself and Celebrate Small Victories

You need to keep track of your little victories throughout the month and be gentle with your self-talk. 

If you’re having a hard month with your mental health, it’s easy to criticize yourself and pick at the little things.  Instead of wallowing over the amount of sugar you’re eating or overthinking how awkward you are at social events this month (is this just me?), you have to be extra kind to yourself.

If you’re feeling particularly impressed that you didn’t sleep in too late with depression, then give yourself a pat on the back. If you managed to put on clothes and run an errand, then revel in your accomplishments. It may seem silly to those who don’t understand the struggle of simple tasks when dealing with difficult mental health days, but I’m here to tell you, you need to celebrate your small victories. Hell, write them on sticky notes and plaster them all over your desk if you have to.

The celebrations will boost your mental morale and give you a sense of happiness.

Plan Some “Me” Days

This is super important for anyone with a mental illness or physical illness that drains you of energy. 

It’s really easy to get swept up in social activities with groups of people, or to spread yourself thin with too many commitments during December and the Christmas season. Make sure you don’t neglect time that’s just for you. 

Now, solitude is one of those double edged swords–too much of it and you can feel isolated, but not enough of it and you can feel as though you’re losing little bits of your soul. During this month, you’ll want to pay close attention to what your mind and body is feeling and give yourself time alone as you need it. Some people may need an hour or two just to sit alone and read a book. Others require a few hours or even a day of being alone to do their own activities, tasks and even sleep.

Just make sure that however you spend your alone time is giving you the time you need to be yourself and revive your mental energy.

Sleep, Eat and Drink As Well As You Can

It’s easy to drink a little too much or eat too many things while mindlessly watching Netflix Christmas specials, but try to eat and sleep as well as you can.

Two things that go haywire when things get busy are sleeping and eating habits. For many people who struggle with mental illnesses, sleeping and eating habits may already be unpredictable thanks to moods and how our bodies cope…soooo December’s hectic schedule doesn’t help.

While December is definitely time to indulge in food, drink, extra sleep and all-nighters, it’s important for anyone living with mental illnesses don’t go overboard. It can undo a lot of hard work you’ve put in throughout the year to stay on a healthy track. But don’t rule out the indulgences! Just be a little more mindful about how your body and mind might react.

Examples: If you know that drinking makes you extra depressed or down the next day, try not to overdo it and make sure that you have a self-care plan for the next day. Or if you stay up partying all night, be sure not to overdo it and pull another consecutive all-nighter. And on the food scale, if you’ve been enjoying sugary treats and are maybe feeling the effects, then set a goal to counteract the sugar with some healthier options throughout the day.

If you can stay as close as possible to your healthy habits without giving up the fun, your mind and body will thank you later, or at the very least, have a plan of action to make up for the fun.

Be Present As Best You Can

It’s easy to let your mind slip into a state of anxiousness and doubt when it comes to the holiday season, but it’s also important to be as present as possible. 

For people with anxieties, self-doubt and other manifestations of mental illnesses, it’s hard to put aside negative thoughts and mind wandering sessions on any given day. When you factor in the extra social activities and commitments during December and the Christmas holiday season, it can be stressful to be present and put energy into the moment when your mind is elsewhere.

That’s why you should try to be as present as possible in your thoughts and actions when you’re out and about. Instead of living in your little bubble you’ve created in your brain, just let yourself enjoy the minutes you’re living.

When you’re out and doing activities with friends, family, coworkers or even just out walking through your city, try to be as present as you can be. One way is to take special notice of your senses and what’s around you. Example: What does the air smell like? What does the snow under your feet feel like? With your mind focusing on the present details, you’re less likely to wander into a wormhole of anxieties. Another tip to stay in the present, is to actively listen to people when they’re talking and ask them questions. It’s a great way to stay engaged in a conversation without having to do much of the talking yourself.

And really, put down your phone every now and again. I sometimes use my phone as a coping tool to escape to my own little world when I’m in social settings. I’m sure I’m not the only one guilty of that. It’s good in small doses, but if you do it too often, you’ll find yourself slipping out of the present and back into your mind’s wandering thoughts.

Bottom line: Stay as present as you can and give your mind a break from worrying about the past or future.

Let’s Keep The Conversation Going

How Do You Take Care Of Your Mental Health During December, Christmas or the Holiday Season? Let me know down in the comments. And share the image below on Pinterest to help keep you on track with your mental health this month!