Mairi, Dawnyell, Yaniz
The Holidays come with a pressure to be “merry” and “happy”. This can be difficult especially for those of us with mental illness. In a study 24% of those with mental illness find their illness “a lot worse” during the holidays, and 66% have experienced loneliness.
There are a lot of reasons holidays can be stressful. Separation from family, current events, financial problems, and personal grief. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources out there to help us cope with all the pressure and the “holiday blues”. We would like to share some with you.
- Don’t worry about having a “perfect” holiday. There’s a lot of pressure to have an ideal holiday celebration but that’s not realistic. Be ready to say “no” to family or friends. Take care of yourself first.
- Reach Out. Seek out opportunities in the community for socialization like social events, religious events, or support groups. Find activities you feel comfortable with.
- Volunteer. This can be a source of comfort. This is a great activity if you are feeling lonely or isolated and you can make a small difference in the lives of others.
- Avoid financial headaches by making and sticking to a budget.Plan ahead and avoid overspending. Think about giving homemade gifts.
- Plan ahead. If you are hosting a dinner or need to bring a dish somewhere, plan to cook ahead of time to avoid stressors.
- Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t overindulge even though it’s the holidays. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, eat well, avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco or drug use. Make time for physical activity.
- Practice self-care. Make time for yourself without distractions. For example, take a walk, read a book, or go stargazing. Indulge in something you enjoy.
- Keep your own well-being in mind. Sometimes it’s not just the “holiday blues”. Make an appointment with a mental health professional if you need to.
Remember to come to the Clubhouse. Checkout our holiday schedule to see all the fun activities we are having this season. We’ll be happy to see you!
