Why are the holidays hard on mental health? The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings. To make matters worse, the National Alliance on Mental Illness noted that 64% of individuals living with a mental illness felt that their conditions worsened around the holidays.
How do you mentally prepare for the holidays?
NAMI offers these 10 tips to help with holiday anxiety or depression.
- Stick to normal routines as much as possible.
- Get enough sleep or rest.
- Take time for yourself, but don’t isolate yourself.
- Eat and drink in moderation and don’t drink alcohol if you are feeling down.
- Get exercise, even if it’s only taking a short walk.
How do you survive the mental holidays?
Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.
- Acknowledge your feelings.
- Reach out.
- Be realistic.
- Set aside differences.
- Stick to a budget.
- Plan ahead.
- Learn to say no.
- Don’t abandon healthy habits.
How can I reduce my anxiety during the holidays?
Coping with holiday anxiety and stress
- Stress and depression during the holidays are commonly associated with:
- Exercise.
- Get enough rest.
- Find time to visit with friends and have some fun.
- Develop a holiday budget.
- Use your calendar to plan specific days for shopping, baking, and visiting friends.
- Get some fresh air.
Why are the holidays hard on mental health? – Additional Questions
Why is anxiety worse on holiday?
For many people with an vacation anxiety, feeling unsafe is a serious trigger. Traveling takes you out of your comfort zone, which can bring on feelings of stress and panic. Traveling often means dealing with the unexpected, but there are ways to reduce risk.
Why is my anxiety worse during the holidays?
Many factors, including unrealistic expectations, financial pressures, and excessive commitments can cause stress and anxiety at holiday time. Certain people may feel anxious or depressed around the winter holidays due to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes referred to as seasonal depression.
How do I deal with my anxiety at Christmas?
Tips for coping with Christmas stress, anxiety and depression
- Keep your expectations modest.
- Do something different.
- Lean on your support system.
- Don’t assume the worst.
- Forget the unimportant stuff.
- Volunteer.
- Avoid problems.
- Ask for help – but be specific.
How do I relax before a holiday?
Top 10 ways to really relax on holiday
- Be organised. Before you even set off, start to get into the holiday spirit.
- Ditch the technology. This, is easier said than done.
- The art of doing nothing. This truly is an art to master.
- A luxury day retreat.
- Read that book.
- Spend time outside.
- Get active.
- Get creative.
Why do I feel anxious when I go on holiday?
Having a panic attack while in an unfamiliar area can also lead to anxiety over traveling. Simply hearing about negative travel experiences, such as plane crashes or foreign illnesses, can spike anxiety in some people. Anxiety disorders can also be caused by biological risk factors.
Is it normal to get anxiety on holiday?
Some 18% of people in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder. Travel anxiety is the fear of visiting an unfamiliar place. It can also involve the stress that comes with planning your travels. Even if you have no history of anxiety, the idea of being outside familiar territory can throw you into panic mode.
