Mental Health Advice for the Holidays

The holidays can be the best and worst time of the year for adolescents. While there are times where it’s a nice and peaceful break from school and a time to connect again with  family, there are other times where it may consist of unhealthy family dynamics with people coming back to their hometown to visit for the next few weeks. 

For my fellow seniors, it’s the last few weeks to get college applications together before submitting them to universities. The abnormal schedule and mixed feelings of loneliness and isolation, on top of our feelings of anticipation and hope for a fulfilling beginning to a new year, can become overwhelming. Additionally, there can be a plight of comparison with one’s fellow peers. While one person may get a new phone, another person may get a new car or something even more grandiose. If we continue to dwell on counting everyone else’s blessings, we’ll forget to count our own.

Fortunately, even during this overstimulating time of gifts, laughter, stress, anticipation, and more, parents and friends can  help adolescents throughout this emotional time. There are so many ways to practice self-care during the holiday season:Take a break: many of you are already on a break anyway! Talk a walk in the park, watch your favorite movie, and put your devices on DnD. Take time for yourself before putting too much energy on others.

Step back: family is important, but don’t allow them to overstep to where it compromises your well-being. If they are the main cause of your stress, try to limit time with them and step away.

Spend time with those who deserve it: There are people who are the cause of your stress, and others who invoke peace. For the ones who grant you the relaxation and holiday cheer, prioritize your time with them.

Gift-giving: Whether it’s giving or receiving, find gratitude on either end. Don’t fill yourself with negative thoughts or overthinking about what someone may say or do. The only person you can control is yourself.

The reason for the season: Holidays are meant to be a time of celebration and happiness! Don’t forget to take that in. If your days revolve around stress by being worried about something surrounding the holiday, maybe it’s not the thing you should be most focused on.

Wishing everyone a happy Turkey season, and keep these tips in mind going into the Thanksgiving and Christmas season!