It’s the most wonderful time of year, or at least that’s how the saying goes. Yet, the holidays can bring up negative feelings in a lot of people. Many who go through bouts of depression and other mental health issues during the holiday season may feel like their feelings are unusual, or even invalid. However, research shows that the phenomenon is actually quite common.
The American Psychological Association found that 38% of people report that their stress increases around the holidays. Similarly, the National Alliance for Mental Health found that 64% of individuals with a mental illness believed their conditions worsened around the holidays. If you find yourself experiencing the holiday blues, take comfort in knowing you are not alone in your feelings.
Feelings of isolation and sadness during the holidays can be brought on by a variety of different causes. People who have experienced grief and loss throughout the year may find their emotions heightened during this time of year. The American Psychological Association mentions that other common causes for the holiday blues include lack of time, financial pressure, and family events.
So, what should you do if you experience the holiday blues this year? We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you keep your holiday cheer.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Before you can try to get back in the holiday spirit, you first have to acknowledge your feelings of sadness. Take time to check in on your feelings and understand that what you are feeling is normal. The worst thing you can do is try and suppress these feelings. At some point, you will have to acknowledge your sadness.
Be Realistic
Holidays can bring on a lot of stress. Make sure your expectations for the holidays are realistic. Do not try and take on too much in too little time. Being realistic in how you spend your time can help you avoid stretching yourself too thin. This tip is also a great reminder that the holiday season likely won’t always look like how it does in the media. The holidays aren’t perfect and that’s okay!
Set Appropriate Budgets
Although it can be tempting to go all out on your holiday spending, sticking to a budget can help you avoid financial stress later on. It Is easy to get caught up in the spirit of gift-giving so setting a budget can help ensure you are not spending outside of your means. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.
Reach Out for Help
Make sure you have the support you need and be sure to ask for help when you need it. Whether you reach out to friends, family, or a professional mental health advisor, be sure you know the steps to take when your feelings become too much. If you are unsure of who to go to, these resources can help:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness: Nami.org
National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988
Remember, the holidays can bring out negative emotions in many people. If you find yourself experiencing the holiday blues, know that what you are feeling is normal and you are not alone. Kokomo24/7® has several modules that can help manage mental health in the workplace and school. Kokomo FORMS™ lets you send out customizable surveys to stay in the know about the mental well-being of responders. Kokomo CASES™ allows you to track incidents that arise including mental health crises. Finally, Kokomo ESCALATE™ is a tool designed for students and employees to anonymously self-report mental health issues to get the help they need.
Ever since Kokomo24/7® was founded in 2018, we have been a leader in compliance and risk management solutions for all things health and safety. Kokomo proudly serves workplaces, communities, and schools with continuity software solutions including surveys, case management, accreditation and vaccine tracking, guest management, notifications, occupancy management, anonymous reporting, and emergency operations. Our mission is to deliver highly effective, easy-to-use, and trusted compliance and risk management solutions that bridge the gap between public safety and technology.
Sources:
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/mcleans-guide-managing-mental-health-around-holidays
https://namica.org/blog/handling-stress-during-the-holiday-season/
https://www.nami.org/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2014/Mental-health-and-the-holiday-blues
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