It's the holiday season! Time to rest and regain your strength. If you are like most people, you are probably reconnecting with your friends and loved ones.
The gifts, the fun, and the positive vibes all make the holiday worth it.
Everyone is probably sharing their fun plans. After all, it's the happiest time of the year.
The problem is, you are not feeling it.
Yes, you put up a forced smile every now and then, but that's it. You crawl into your bed, and never desire to come out.
Holiday blues are real. And if you want to properly manage the condition, you've got to identify your triggers and come up with healthy ways of coping with it.
If you've got preexisting conditions like anxiety and depression, then you are in for a hard time. To lessen the burden, you should identify stressors.
The stressors could be family dysfunction -- families come together during the holiday season. This will, in turn, create room for family conflict.
Loneliness is another stressor that may likely trigger holiday blues. Folks who are unable to reconnect with their family may feel isolated and lonely. Isolation and loneliness can have a toll on their mental well-being.
Other stressors could be financial stress and grief. Christmas holidays come with financial pressure. Most people struggle to buy new outfits, redecorate their home, and also get the trendiest toys for their kids.
Well, to look the part, you've got to shell out some cash -- and that's where the pressure sets in.
Furthermore, the Christmas holiday season has a way to remind you of your lost loved ones. These memories are not fun, and it has a way of triggering negative emotions.
To get the best out of the Christmas holidays, you've got to be aware of your feelings.
Gaining awareness of your triggers is one sure way of dealing with them.
One way of putting things in check is by setting healthy boundaries. If having the entire family come together can be overwhelming, you've got to plan short visits. Also, if you feel overly criticized by your close relatives, you can shut up your critics by becoming more assertive or avoiding such conversations entirely.
If you don't have any visiting plans, you can start a project to keep yourself busy. This way, you get to avoid the dreaded lonely feeling.
By now, you should know the importance of a budget. Stick to your budget and resist external pressures.
Learn to appreciate yourself, acknowledge your hard work, and nurture yourself -- you deserve the best!
Finally, seek professional help. A professional is trained to help you get through any issue. Your mental health is important. And as such, you've got to seek proper counselling.
Whether you desire anxiety, depression, or relationship counselling, you can reach out to the Psychology, Counseling and Wellbeing Centre by calling 07 3891 2273 or shoot an email to reception@cwcqld.com.
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