What are some common mental health challenges people may face during the holidays?
A lot of times, people experience high levels of stress or feel overwhelmed because they’re facing extra responsibilities: social gatherings, shopping, gifting, and the overall busyness of the holiday season.
Another thing we see is people coping with grief and loneliness. The holidays can be really difficult for someone who has lost a loved one or who can’t be with family and friends. With grief, there are lots of traditions and memories around the holidays that can impact how they’re feeling.
And, the holidays can be difficult for people who have struggled with body image, substances, or who are in recovery. Since there are a lot of social gatherings, there might be alcohol or food that might be difficult or triggering for some people. It’s important to have a plan to manage those types of holiday situations.
How can you tell if the stress or anxiety you’re feeling this time of year is something more serious?
It’s normal for people to experience stress and other various emotions during the holidays. If you’re noticing prolonged feelings of stress or anxiety for a few weeks and it’s impacting your life or you can’t do day-to-day activities, that’s a sign it’s more than holiday stress, and it could be an underlying mental health issue. You’ll want to get support and talk to your health care provider or a mental health professional.
What are some things people can do to reduce stress around the holidays?
The most important thing is to set realistic expectations. Many people have this idea of having the perfect holiday, making the perfect meal, or finding the perfect gift – a lot of times, there can be unrealistic expectations when compared to others, especially with social media– and that can cause a lot of stress. Take a step back and ask yourself, “What’s important to me?” You don’t have to say “yes” to every event. Pick what’s important to you, set boundaries, and communicate with your family and friends.
It’s also important that people focus on self-care and set aside time to relax, eat healthy, and get enough sleep. Practice mindfulness, get exercise, go for a walk, and seek out support when needed. Even taking a brief break and some deep breaths during a stressful family gathering can help you feel less overwhelmed.
Many nurses, healthcare workers, and people in other professions may have to work the holidays. What advice do you have for them if they feel like they’re missing out on holiday events or gatherings?
They need to validate and acknowledge the emotions they’re feeling. It’s normal to feel sad or disappointed that you’re missing out on time with family or a holiday event.
Getting support from coworkers who are experiencing the same thing can help, and so can bringing some holiday cheer to work, like having a potluck or decorating the break room. Those little things can help. It’s important to remember that while you may not be able to celebrate the holiday on the actual day, you can still plan meaningful activities before or after with family and friends.
I’ve worked many holidays, and what’s helped me and other nurses is knowing that you’re out there and you’re caring for patients and making a difference. Patients often feel some of the same ways you do when being away from home during the holidays. They may be sad, lonely, anxious, sick, or in pain. Being there for them reinforces why you got into this profession: to help and care for others.
People might feel a little sad or bummed out once the holidays are over. How can people avoid the “post-holiday blues”?
Give yourself some grace and know that everyone has also been through the rush and mayhem of the holidays. It’s important to ease back into things after a busy holiday season. There’s always so much joy, excitement, and anticipation this time of year, so once it’s over, it’s normal to feel kind of sad or let down.
Take it easy, whether it’s going back to work or school; instead of jumping right back in full force, a gradual return to routines can be helpful. It is also important to maintain social connections, practice self-care, and plan other activities to look forward to after the holidays.
