#Collaborative post
Looking after your mental health at any point in the year is important, however, the festive period can bring its own challenges that make it even more important to look after yourself.
From the pressure of making Christmas perfect (is there even a thing?!) to keeping everyone in your family happy, it can feel like you are fighting a losing battle and before you know it your mental health can suffer from it in many ways. With mental health, as people can not see it, you may feel like you are on your own with it, but you are not.
Here are some simple tips to help you look after your mental health this festive period:
It’s good to talk
This time of the year can cause a lot of tension and stress, even between you and those who are closest to you. Talking through your concerns or stresses is a great way to relieve the stress and anxiety you may be feeling.
Even if it seems trivial to you, if you have anxiety, it can make it feel like the biggest issue in the world and you can’t help but overthink things.
If your issues have gone beyond the point where you think you are able to initiate the conversation with your family or loved ones, things like family therapy can help get you talking again. Life is too short to not be talking to your loved ones, especially at this time of the year, you don’t know what is around the corner. After all, we all make mistakes at some point in our lives and sometimes you just need to talk through them to get to the other side.
Families and relationships are never perfect and the added strain over the festive period can sometimes push things to a tipping point. Before it gets to that point, take some time to talk it through and come to a point where what may have been worrying you is spoken about, only then will you be able to let it go.
Look after your health
Although eating and exercising won’t magically cure your anxieties and stress, it is known to help you manage them better.
This isn’t about being on a strict diet or working out daily, but simple steps such as ensuring you are drinking plenty of water and getting your body moving every day will help you improve your health which in turn will help with your sleep and your mental health.
It is always easier to think a little straighter after a good nights sleep, your mind is just that little bit more able to focus. Of course, trying to eat a little better and making sure your body is getting all the goodness it needs is a great help too, but don’t deny yourself if you fancy a treat every now and again!
Learn to reach out
Sometimes you might not need to talk through your problem to feel a little bit clearer, in fact, all you might need is just a friendly face to talk to about life.
Seeing someone face to face and having a catch up does wonder for the soul, it has a bigger impact than a quick call or text.
Why not reach out to a family member or friend to see if they want to catch up for something to eat or maybe just a hot chocolate. Taking time out of your routine, getting out of the house and seeing someone will lift your spirits, especially in these dark colder months.
Do something you enjoy
When you are having your tough days, do something that you really enjoy doing.
It doesn’t need to be creative or even something that you need to share with everyone. If you love baking or even just reading a book, enjoy your passion in peace for a few hours. Give yourself time out to do the things that make you happy with no expectations or requirements.
If it brings you a little happiness, make sure you do it more often.
Don’t put pressure on yourself this festive season to be someone else. Just focus on yourself and what makes you happy.
Surrounding yourself with people who bring that joy to your life will make this festive period so much easier.