Mercy Health shares tools to manage holiday blues, take care of mental health
The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that nearly 65% of individuals with a mental illness felt their condition worsened in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
Between grief, seasonal affective disorders, and general anxiety surrounding world conflict and finances, a lot is going on right now.
Dr. Lewis Spirtos is a psychiatrist and medical director for Outpatient Behavioral Health at Mercy Health.
“While the holidays can be a time of celebration, togetherness and joy, it’s also a season that can feel isolating. From financial pressures to expectations of perfection, it’s easy to set ourselves up for added stress, anxiety and disappointment this time of year,” said Dr. Spirtos.
Here are Mercy Health’s top pieces of advice for fighting the winter worries and being positive around the holidays:
Ask for help
If you’re overwhelmed by the number of tasks on your to-do list, enlist help from your family and friends. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or shopping, asking for assistance is a great way to ease this burden and share responsibility in preparing for a party or family gathering. Hopefully, it can lighten your load and allow you to enjoy the holidays.
Stick to a budget
Sticking to a budget can help manage anxiety in checkout or online shopping sprees. This allows you to plan and set a comfortable limit so that you can still give your loved ones something special without costing your mental health.
Gift exchanges or Secret Santa parties are great ways to lessen financial strain.
Honor your loved one’s memory
Suppose you’re missing a loved one who has passed. In that case, you can honor them throughout the holiday season by recreating their favorite traditions, lighting a candle, creating a memorial, or simply sharing your favorite memories of them with others.
Reach out to your friends and family
Connecting with those you love most is one of the most beneficial things to do when struggling with mental health and grief during the holiday season.
Speaking with a friend or family member who supports you, or even a therapist, can help you cope with struggles you may be having during this time of the year.
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This story was originally published December 8, 2023 at 12:24 PM.
