Despite the season’s reputation as a magical time of year filled with love and happiness, the holidays can be difficult for many people. Sometimes it’s clear why Christmas and other end-of-the-year celebrations are so mental – as you grieving the loss of a loved one,
Other times, the reason for your holiday sadness isn’t as obvious: You just know that you’re feeling down, while the rest of your family and friends are enjoying themselves, and full of good cheer. And while you can’t just snap your fingers and feel the joy, there are steps you can take to actively banish your holiday blues. Here’s what to know.
identify your triggers
whether you’re dealing holiday anxiety or sadness, it helps to identify which people or scenarios prompt a change in your mental well-being.
If you can’t put your finger on specific triggers, the next time you start to feel down, notice what you’re experiencing in that moment: Are you with a certain person, or Are you at a particular location? Is this song or fragrance? Is it seeing other people interacting in a type of relationship that you are not currently in?
Knowing what’s making you sad this time of year is the first step toward working through it, or avoiding it as much as possible.
set clear boundaries
According to Dr. Mark Kaplan, a psychiatrist at York Hospital in Maine, says you should take the time to prepare emotionally for get-togethers with family and friends during the holiday season. This involves setting boundaries and then communicating.
“Be yourself and focus on having a good time,” Kaplan Foster told the Daily Democrat In a recent interview. “Decide how long you’ll be there, who you’ll interact with. Even with people you hope to avoid, think of a fond memory of this person instead of seeing ‘this jerk.’ Think about the limits.
Focus on Being Present, Not Perfect
There’s something about the holidays that can make people feel that no matter what they do, or how hard they try, it’s never enough. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead, make a decision to be mentally present when spending time with your loved ones and give yourself permission not to The pressure to be perfect.