Navigating Your Mental Health during the Holidays

The next few months are filled with celebrations and time with loved ones. However, these joyous months can feel anything but cheerful for people impacted by a mental illness. 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse.  During this time, it's essential to check in on yourself and understand that your emotions may be heightened during the holidays. If you have a loved one you know has suffered from a mental illness, remember to be gentle with them during this season. Many don't want others to know they are suffering out of guilt or embarrassment. Let them know if they need you; you're there. 

The hustle and bustle of holidays can create anxiety for many individuals who have a mental illness. The pressure to be happy 24/7, more social outings, a change of routine, traveling, less sleep, seeing family, etc., triggers a mental illness. If this sounds like you, it's okay. Recovery is not linear. Give yourself grace during the next few months. Remember, it doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're human.

Speaking from my own experience. The holidays create a three-month-long period of anxiety surrounding my old disordered tendencies and thoughts. The reason for this is because the environment that triggers my thoughts is heightened. Food and social outings are major triggers for me. Holidays such as Thanksgiving, a whole day basically based around food, seems like hell on earth. I would become embarrassed when my old thoughts would come back during the holidays. "Shouldn't I be happy? Shouldn't this be the best time of the year?" I felt broken. Then I would feel guilty because I would take out my frustration on my family. I was a grade-A bit*ch during the holidays due to the extra stress and anxiety. The worst part was I acted like the holidays weren't affecting me, so they had no idea why I was so mean. You feel guilty because you not only feel like the holidays are ruined for you, but you feel like your ruining it for your loved ones. 

Here's my advice. I am not going to sugarcoat it. The holidays still give me anxiety. They may always be, BUT they got a lot better when I accepted why I was having these emotions. The more I suppressed, the more I felt, and the more I took it out on everyone around me. Don't ignore the feelings. Feel them, understand it's normal, and let them pass. A few things I do during the holidays that have allowed me to have more control over my thoughts and triggers are: 

1. Take time to yourself

 Don't seclude yourself, BUT take time out of the day to just be alone. This season is filled with social outings and people you haven't seen in a while. It's important to recharge yourself and let yourself rest. 

2. Plan things to do that give you joy.

I have specific things I look forward to during the holidays to help balance out the extra anxiety. For example, I read A LOT. Like I make about two trips to Barnes and noble a week type of a lot. Reading calms me down and helps me associate the holidays with something that makes me feel good. 

3. Journal 

When in doubt, Journal. Your thoughts are all over the place during the holidays. It may feel cluttered or dark. Use writing as an outlet. I always feel a weight lifted off my chest after writing my struggles due to not communicating them well with others. Sometimes writing them down makes them seem less scary. Admitting your feelings, even with a paper and pen, can ease some of those holiday blues. 

4. Talk to someone. 

Like I said earlier, I am not the best at asking for help. Especially during the holidays, the last thing you want is to bring down the cheerful mood. I promise you; your loved ones won't care, not even for a second. You don't have to tell them everything. You can simply say, "I'm struggling right now a little more than usual. Please be patient with me." If they are aware, there will be less of a chance for accidental triggers. 

As we approach the next few months, be gentle with yourself. Remember how far you've come and that it is NORMAL to have more intrusive thoughts and feelings during this time. Progress is not linear. Having a mental illness doesn't make you weak. It makes you so so strong. To wake up every day and fight those demons in your mind takes courage. Never doubt how strong you are, and never forget how far you've come. This too shall pass and until it does, take it day by day.