The holidays can be a stressful time for many people. There are pressures to spend time with family, to find the perfect gifts, and to budget for extra expenses. Along with all of this, there is often the added stress of travel. It can be tough to maintain mental health during the holidays, but it is possible.

Here are some tips for maintaining mental health during the holiday season:

1) Don’t overcommit yourself

One of the biggest sources of holiday stress is trying to do too much. You might feel pressure to attend every holiday party, buy the perfect gifts, or host a big family gathering. But spreading yourself too thin during the holiday period can be exhausting and leave you feeling even more stressed.

Take a step back and realistically assess what you can handle this holiday season. Say no to anything that feels like too much, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends.

2) Set realistic expectations

The festive season is often a time when people feel pressure to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. However, it is important to set realistic expectations otherwise you’re setting yourself up for a case of the holiday blues. Keep in mind, that family gatherings often come with pangs of grief as we remember friends and family who are no longer with us. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a step back and reassess your plans. It is okay to say no to invitations and events that you do not feel comfortable attending. Likewise, family dynamics can be complex, so it is perfectly acceptable to set healthy boundaries with family and friends. Let them know what you are and are not comfortable with ahead of time. This will help avoid any hurt feelings or conflict down the road.

3) Switch off from work

The holidays can be a hectic time for many of us with work, social and family commitments. It’s important to make sure you take some time out for yourself to relax and recharge. Switch off from work stressors by taking a break from your job, if possible. If you can’t take time off, try to set some boundaries between work and leisure time. Make sure you have at least one day a week where you don’t think about work at all. If you find yourself feeling guilty about work commitments, switch the script and practice gratitude towards having time to yourself — you’ve earned it. This will help you to relax and enjoy the holidays more.

4) Stick to a budget

One of the most stressful aspects of the holidays is financial pressure. Whether you’re buying gifts, travel expenses, or simply trying to stick to your usual budget with all the added expenses, it can be tough to stay afloat.

To avoid holiday debt and stress, it’s important to stick to a budget. Make a list of all the expenses you anticipate for the season and allocate funds accordingly. If you know you’ll be spending more on general expenses like groceries and fuel, try to cut back in other areas to make up the difference.

You can also try setting a limit for how much you’ll spend on gifts. This can help prevent overspending and reduce the financial pressure you feel during the season.

Lastly, don’t forget to factor in your own mental health when creating your holiday budget. If you know that certain activities or events will be too stressful, try to avoid them or plan for them accordingly. Consider setting aside extra funds for things like self-care, therapy, or relaxation so that you can stay healthy and happy throughout the season.

5) Make time for yourself

The holiday season can be a hectic and stressful time. To help keep your mental health in check, it’s important to make time for yourself. Dedicate some time each day to do something that you enjoy, whether it’s reading, going for a walk, or listening to music. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just something that helps you relax and rejuvenate.

In addition to making time for yourself each day, try to schedule some “me time” into your week. This could be an afternoon at the beach, a day in the park, or a long lunch with a friend. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that you’re looking forward to and that will help reduce your stress levels.

Finally, don’t forget to take some time for yourself on party days. Whether you spend an hour reading in bed before everyone else wakes up or relax in the bathtub after the hustle and bustle of the day, make sure you carve out some time to decompress. By taking care of yourself and giving yourself some much-needed TLC, you can help maintain your mental health during the holiday season.

6) Get enough sleep

Sleep is the master regulator. However, it can often be one of the first routines we abandon. However, it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress levels, which can exacerbate mental health conditions. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, there are a number of things you can do to help yourself: avoid caffeine in the evening, establish a consistent bedtime routine, and create a relaxing environment in your bedroom.

7) Eat healthy

During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and let healthy eating habits fall by the wayside. Indulging at holiday gatherings is fine, but also remember that eating nutritious foods and in moderation is an important part of maintaining mental health. On those non-party days, fuelling your body with healthy foods and avoiding alcohol will give you the energy you need to get through the holiday season and help keep your mood stable.

To make sure you’re eating healthy during the holidays, try to:

• Eat regularly throughout the day: Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, which can cause irritability and fatigue.
• Make time for breakfast: A nutritious breakfast can give you sustained energy throughout the day.
• Pack healthy snacks: If you’re travelling or on the go, pack healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grain foods to avoid getting too hungry.
• Limit alcohol: With all the holiday gatherings and empty afternoons, alcohol consumption can really creep up on us and leave you feeling utterly depleted because drinking alcohol interferes with sleep and worsens anxiety and depression. If you do drink, set limits yourself and don’t be afraid to say no, or switch to zero-alcohol drinks.

8) Exercise

With all the free time available to us in the holiday season, you’d imagine it’s easy to fit in plenty of exercise. However, that’s not always the case. One way to make sure you get enough exercise is to combine it with some outdoor exploration. It could be discovering the parks in your neighbourhood or scaling a mountain. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety.

Try to fit in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. If you can’t do that all at once, break it up into smaller chunks of time throughout the day. Taking a brisk walk is a great way to get started.

9) Take a break from social media

Between all the shopping, wrapping, cooking, and socializing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed during the holiday season. And if you’re someone who is struggling with mental health issues, the holiday season can be even tougher.

One way to help reduce some of the holiday stress is to take a break from social media. Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be a source of anxiety and comparison. If you find yourself getting caught up in the “perfect” lives you see online, take a step back and remember that everyone’s life is different. You don’t need to compare yourself to others.

Instead, focus on what you’re doing and how you’re feeling. If you’re happy with your life, that’s all that matters. The holidays should be about enjoying time with loved ones and creating happy memories, not about comparing yourself to others.

10) Seek professional help if needed.

If you or a family member are feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope, reach out to your EAP, speak with your doctor or seek out a therapist of your own who can help you through this difficult time. Remember, you don’t need to have a mental illness to benefit from talking with a mental health professional. So many of us try to make it through life without ever having someone really listen to us and our story without judgement. Counsellors and psychologists offer you that opportunity, and through that process you can find calm, clarity and control again. Importantly, if someone requires urgent care, call emergency services.

Conclusion

The holiday season is a hectic and stressful time for many people. If you’re not careful, it can take a toll on your mental health. But there are things you can do to stay healthy and happy during this festive time.

First, don’t overcommit yourself. Say no to things that you don’t really want to do, and focus on the things that are most important to you. Second, set realistic expectations. Don’t put pressure on yourself to have the “perfect” holiday, because that’s just not possible.

Third, switch off from work. This is your time to relax and enjoy yourself, so don’t spend it worrying about deadlines and projects. Fourth, stick to a budget. The holidays can be expensive, but there’s no need to go into debt just to have a good time.

Fifth, make time for yourself. With all the socializing and shopping and cooking, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. But it’s important to schedule some “me time” into your holiday plans. Sixth, get enough sleep. With all the excitement, it’s easy to lose sleep during the holidays. But getting enough rest is crucial for maintaining your mental health.

Finally, eat healthy and exercise. This is good advice year-round, but it’s especially important during the holidays when tempting treats are everywhere. By following these tips, you can enjoy a healthy holiday season and start the new year with a fresh mind.