Published On: November 27, 2024Categories: Blog, Uncategorized717 words2.7 min read

Taking Mental Health Breaks Over the Holidays (Plus 12 Tips)

November 27, 2024

Oh, the holidays. How I love them and feel overwhelmed by them all at the same time. And I’m sure I’m not alone. I often feel like the build up to the holidays is more fun than the actual holiday itself. Though, this will be my daughter’s first holiday season, bringing magic back to each day. But regardless of how magical the days are, the holidays are stressful. And it’s important to take care of your mental health.

My mental health journey has been long. And not easy. Especially since my trauma occurred on Christmas Eve, celebrating had always been a complicated issue for me. Everyone around me was cheerful and joyful, and yet I’ve felt some of the lowest of my lows around the holidays.

And your trauma doesn’t have to be connected to a holiday in order for them to feel tough. Family issues, financial issues, self-with issues, etc. all are heightened around the holidays. Not to mention the crowds of people and constant interactions. Leaving many feeling drained and possibly even triggered. Which is why it’s so important to take extra care of our mental health.

Learning how to take care of my mental health has taken me a few years, but I feel the best I’ve ever felt, and I am ready to tackle the holidays this year with joy. But I vow to continue to put my metal health first.

So if you are like me and you need to pay close attention to your mental health (which, arguably, we all need to do), here are some tips for maintaining your mental health over the holidays:

Only say yes to the things you really want to do. This includes holidays themselves if you are not feeling up for it. Say no. Do something different. Start a new tradition. And put yourself first.
Before an event, make sure you get time to yourself. Even if it’s only five minutes. That way you will feel rested going into the celebration.
Make sure you drink enough water. Staying hydrated prevents a lot of problems and keeps your digestion working properly.
Try not to overeat. This one is tricky, especially during Thanksgiving when the entire holiday runs on food, but by making sure you don’t overeat, you will help your digestion function as it should, which will help your mental health as our gut health is our second brain.
Take prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes. To aid your digestion. Especially if you are eating richer foods than you normally do. Remember, our gut health is directly connected to our mental health.
While attending events, have boundaries for how much time you’ll spend at each place. People who love you will try to get you to stay, but if you know you’ve reached your limit, leave when you need to.
Have boundaries. Period.
Make sure you take time to yourself while out. Excuse yourself to use the bathroom or step outside. Even if you have kids, odds are you can find someone to watch them for five minutes to get that time to yourself.
Get enough sleep. Often for me, this means I don’t get to watch as many shows at night with my husband. Something that I gladly sacrifice for more sleep.
Do something to pamper yourself. I get massages, get my hair done and paint my nails. Making sure I feel good physically helps me feel good mentally.
Schedule time to talk to someone you love. Whether this means meeting a friend for lunch or making the extra visit to a family remember, take time to see people you love not just on the holiday, but during the holiday season when there’s a lot of joy in the air.
Journal. Journaling helps you hear yourself and helps you reflect on your feelings. So even if it’s just notes on your phone, talk to yourself. Try to do it for at least a few minutes every day.