It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for many of us. It’s also the most stressful, a time when we tend to put family and friends first – sometimes to the detriment of our own mental health.
The Canadian Mental Health Association offered some holiday reminders this week that we think are well worth sharing. First off, there aren’t really any right and wrong ways to approach the Christmas season. How we choose to connect with others will be unique to each of us. Probably, some balance is best.
Family and social connections benefit our health and well-being, the CMHA says. That might mean travelling out of town, hosting gatherings, volunteering in the community, or maybe just taking advantage of technology and bridging distances with a FaceTime call.
“Try to engage in meaningful conversations with the intention of learning, understanding, and connecting,” the CMHA notes, and we know that means making an effort to ask how others are doing and listening to their answers.
Before, after or in between the merry making, it may be important, too, to prioritize self-care and take time to relax and re-charge in between the mental demands the holidays may bring.
“Pay close attention to signs and signals from your body telling you that it’s time for a break. It’s OK to take a pause to ground yourself,” the CMHA advises. “Before heading into your gatherings, know what your boundaries are. Maybe there are topics of conversation that are off-limits to you. Knowing beforehand can help you handle those situations if they arise.”
For links to mental health resources, visit www.cmhamidisland.ca or www.wellnesstogether.ca. Anyone who is in crisis and thinking about suicide, or worried about someone they know, can call the new 988 suicide crisis helpline.
Let’s care for each other and take care of ourselves this Christmas. The holidays are right there in front of us, just waiting to become happy holidays.