By Liz Ferrell, Development & Community Outreach Specialist
The days between Thanksgiving and Christmas shimmer with warmth and holiday cheer. Children adorably recreate the Nativity in the church Christmas pageant. Workplaces throw holiday parties. Ads teem with family and friends making merry, exchanging gifts, drinking cocoa by the fire. Christmas carols play over grocery store intercoms. Downtown streets twinkle with fairy lights. People genuinely seem to wish peace and goodwill toward all.
What’s not to love, right? But the truth is much more complicated. Social media posts that make every family look wholesome, happy, functional, and financially comfortable are often carefully curated. And nobody feels like making merry all the time.
At HOPE Family Health we know this time of year can bring great heartache and stress. Whether you’re grieving the loss of someone you love, experiencing uncertainty or financial hardship, fighting against substance abuse, or struggling with your mental or emotional health, the fanfare that surrounds Christmas and New Year is a virtually unavoidable source of pain.
Holiday impacts on mental health
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64 percent of those who suffer from some form of mental illness report worsening symptoms during the holidays. Domestic violence and car accidents also increase during this time of year.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that increased feelings of stress, sadness and loneliness during the Christmas season can worsen feelings of isolation and symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance use disorder or other mental health conditions.
Solutions for mental wellbeing
The good news is that while you may not be able to control your circumstances, you can take steps to improve your mental wellbeing – steps that give you some control over how well you survive the perils of this season.
HOPE cares about you and we always want to provide you with tools to help you take control of your health, successfully weather your health challenges, and thrive. The SAMHSA website offers ideas for ways to fend off the holiday blues and resources to call if you or someone you know needs help.
1. Pay attention to and acknowledge your feelings. It is extremely common to feel unhappy during “the most wonderful time of the year.”
2. Have a plan in place. Knowing in advance what to do when the blues hit can help you weather a rough patch.
Call a friend or family member who always leaves you feeling affirmed.
Exercise! It’s a proven mood enhancer, even more so if the weather allows for outdoor activity.
Engage in something you enjoy: watch a favorite movie, listen to upbeat music, play with your pet, bake cookies, read a book, draw or write something.
3. Practice self-care. Self-care is not the same thing as self-indulgence. Rather, it’s deliberately prioritizing the things that keep your life in balance: getting adequate sleep, exercising, eating a balanced diet, spending time in nature, or simply practicing deep breathing and meditation to quiet your mind and calm your spirit. These things can help you enjoy better mental, emotional and physical health. And if others depend on you, self-care replenishes you when you feel depleted so you can be a good caregiver.
4. Connect with community and help support others. Even if you’re far from family, you’re sure to find any number of community activities, support groups, faith families and activities to engage your interest. And if you feel alone, chances are there are others who also miss family who could use your company.
Most importantly, you are not alone. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help
now, dial 988, the suicide and crisis hotline. You can find other resources listed below. And if you live in our service area, the behavioral health professionals at HOPE Family Health can provide you with the treatment and care plan you need to find your way to wholeness. Call 615-644-0479 or 615-644-0482 for more information.
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