How to Protect Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season

An American Psychological Association poll found that 89% of adults in the United States feel overwhelmed and stressed during the holiday season due to financial strains, anticipated family conflicts, or missing their loved ones. 

If this statistic includes you, you’re not alone. The good news? Simple tips can help you address the season without losing patience. Here’s how to maintain peace of mind and protect your mental health during the holidays and beyond.

If you struggle with a mental health disorder (nearly 1 in 4 American adults do), see the primary care specialists at Mansfield Primary Care Doctors in Mansfield, Texas, to discuss possible causes and treatment options. 

Common holiday-related mental health concerns

Examples of mental health challenges that may get linked to (or worsen during) the holidays include:

• Depression
• Stress
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders 
• Grief

If you struggle with these conditions during the holidays or throughout the year, help is within reach. 

Five ways to protect your mental health during the holidays

Here are some holiday hacks to elevate your mental health this holiday season and year-round:

1. Plan ahead

Don’t wait until the last minute to complete holiday planning festivities, such as decorating, preparing food, and shopping for gifts. 

Create a calendar and schedule. Check items off the list as you go and space out to-do list items over several weeks or months to avoid pre-holiday stress buildup. Want to avoid the holiday shopping crowds and traffic? Don’t feel bad about choosing online gift shopping this year. 

2. Set boundaries

You don’t have to say yes to every holiday party, family gathering, volunteer opportunity, or Secret Santa. Set boundaries for which activities you commit to and which you can avoid to protect your mental health and anxiety/stress levels. Prioritize YOU during the holidays to be the best version of yourself. 

3. Create a budget

Overspending isn’t inevitable this holiday season. Create a budget for gifts, decorations, holiday clothing, party favors, and other items on your holiday wish list. If money is a concern, there are numerous ways to enjoy the season without overspending. 

Find fun holiday activities that are free or low-cost, rather than spending a fortune on touristy holiday attractions, movie snacks, and expensive restaurant dinners. Consider skiing, viewing holiday lights, working on holiday puzzles or scavenger hunts, playing board games, cooking at home, ice skating, hitting the driving range, hiking outdoors, and more.

4. Set aside time to destress

Make time for yourself this holiday season and beyond. Create quiet alone time daily to meditate, spend time outdoors, go for walks, do yoga, get a massage, stretch, enjoy the sunrise or sunset, listen to music, or read a book to unwind. 

It’s also beneficial to stay active, drink plenty of water, focus on nutritious foods, and get at least 7-9 hours of sleep at night. Take short naps when necessary to keep your body energized and your mind focused. 

5. Seek treatment when needed

If a mental health disorder worsens during the holidays or is present throughout the year, get evaluated by our compassionate Mansfield Primary Care Doctors team. They can determine if you have a diagnosable mental health condition that would benefit from medications, therapy, or similar other treatments. 

Maximizing holiday mental health

The primary care team at Mansfield Primary Care Doctors specializes in chronic disease management, including mental health treatments, to optimize your overall well-being. 

You might take medications, make healthy lifestyle adjustments, undergo therapy, or combine multiple mental health solutions to lessen stress, ease anxiousness, and boost your mood. Talking with a mental health professional helps combat depression, stress, anxiety, and more. 

Our experts can also help you manage heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, arthritis, obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions that concern you.

Are you ready to take the edge off and enhance your mental health this holiday season and beyond?. Contact us today at Mansfield Primary Care Doctors by phone or request an appointment online.