Mental Health for the Holidays
📍 Old Northeast, St. Pete
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Bright and early tomorrow morning, we head up to New York City. While I’m so excited to visit local favorites and friends, it’s mostly a stepping stone to get to Vermont for the holidays. We haven’t been up to see David’s family during Christmas in a few years, and we made a quick decision. As happy as I am to see the extended Kennedy family, I know that this time of year can be so stressful and triggering for countless people. Trust me, there have been isolated holidays where I was filled with anxiety, so I know what it’s like. As the holiday is fast approaching, here are some quick tips to keep in mind for your mental health.
Write a Gratitude List
The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reflect on what you have to be thankful for. That includes family, friends, maybe your job, but also within yourself. Jot down a list of all you accomplished this past year and keep it available for quick access. Remember that no feat is too small! If you find yourself getting overwhelmed with all that the holidays entail, take a moment to review the list. This will be particularly helpful if you have overly competitive or critical relatives because they’re found in almost every family!
Create Boundaries and Realistic Expectations
If you take a quick moment to self-evaluate your mental and emotional needs, then you may pretty quickly have an idea of what boundaries you’ll need to set for your own mental health. Depending on your family dynamic, a boundary may be a time limit, a buffer in the form of a loved one, or even a physical distance. Prioritizing your mental health may take some people by surprise, especially if they display particularly toxic behavior, but you must remain strong! You are beyond brave for creating these boundaries. If anyone doesn’t fully support you, it negatively reflects them and not your decisions.
Attempt to Keep a Consistent Schedule
With so many incredible soirees on the itinerary, the holiday season is often a busy one. Even with so many beautiful memories and late nights, it’s essential to keep a schedule. Getting a good night’s sleep can make even the tensest family situations feel better. Drink lots of water and get a full eight hours for your physical and mental health. The same can be said about when and what you eat. For every indulgent treat, have a serving of fresh fruit and vegetables. After the holiday season, your body will thank you!
Don’t Schedule Too Much
Just because there are so many loved ones to see doesn’t mean you have to see them all in one swoop. While the holiday season is over in the blink of an eye, there are still 365 days to celebrate with family and friends. I’m so often guilty of scheduling too much during this time of year. I have dinners to attend and parties to celebrate while squeezing in travel and shopping. Take a look at your schedule with a keen eye to decide what may need to be skipped for your mental health. If cancellations need to happen, be sure to give enough notice to your gracious host and pass along a gift to show your appreciation.
Take Time For Yourself
Even with travel and parties mentioned above, be sure to add time for yourself. Even just 30 minutes of quiet and reflection can do wonders from a mental standpoint. Treat yourself to a pedicure or massage, and let your mind travel away from the endless to-do list. Even if you’re already at a party, and feel yourself feeling overwhelmed, take the time to go on a quick walk through the neighborhood or 15 minutes in a quiet space for some reflection. Even if you’re the most social of butterflies, this can be a lifesaver during a long Christmas celebration.
Enjoy Yourself
The holidays only come once a year! Even with so much on your plate, don’t forget to find the joy in the holiday season. This may be from a religious or spiritual point of view but can also be seen through a more secular lens. Laugh with your family, indulge in perfected family recipes and don’t be afraid to get silly. No matter what your final plans for the holiday end up being, if you’re not smiling throughout, it may be time to reassess. There’s a long list of appropriate cliches here. Instead of listing off, think of your favorite and play that as a mantra. After all, isn’t life too short?
If holiday shopping is still on your to-do, feel free to get inspired by my first set of gift guides. While I have a few more on the way for last-minute shoppers, I will begin to quiet down to focus on time with family. I hope this holiday season is stress-free, but just in case it’s not, know that you’re not alone!
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.
