This is a bit of a late holiday season post, but since we are in the full swing of it with Christmas and Thanksgiving behind us, it bears mentioning that the holidays can be a hard time for a lot of people. It can be especially stressful for those who suffer with their mental health. We want to share a few reminders we think we can all use during this time to make each holiday season just that much more enjoyable.
It’s always ok to not be in a holiday spirit for whatever reason. Whether it’s due to having to tackling difficult family relationships or financial troubles; make sure to pay attention to how you're truly feeling without any guilt.
Remember to take a step back to breathe when needed and take a break to be alone. An overarching theme of the holidays is celebrating the closeness of relationships, but that’s not everyone’s reality. It’s perfectly acceptable to enjoy your solitude if it’s best for your mental wellbeing.
Your boundaries are still valid even in the spirit of togetherness. If togetherness means entertaining draining relationships and saying yes to everything even when you truly want to say no, it is perfectly ok to maintain and enforce boundaries.
Comparison is the thief of joy. The internet has made it easier to perceive perfectly curated feeds of happy people surrounded by smiling faces, perfectly decorated backgrounds, and tons of presents. However, there are usually other things in the backgrounds that are not seen. People often show the best bits of their lives on social media, however as we all know, there's no such thing as perfection.
Don’t be ashamed to reach out to friends and family to tell them that you need their support or that you’re struggling.
Above all else, your mental wellbeing comes first. So, whatever that means to you and however that looks, don’t be afraid to put yourself first.
No one’s got you like you got you.
If the holidays have been particularly hard for you this year or brought up recurring feelings you experience around this season that leave you wishing the holidays will pass by as quickly as possible, it’s not too late to schedule a free consultation with Innovation Counseling Services. We can work together to understand who you are, what your needs are, and develop a treatment plan to help you change for the better.
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