Start Managing Your Mental Health for the Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for thankfulness and cheer but can also be a time of great stress. If you’ve found yourself or your mood altered by the holiday season, consider prepping your mental health for the holidays. Many health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), recommend prioritizing your mental health and increasing your self-care this time of year. Ignoring your mental health during the holidays can also negatively heighten other medical conditions, according to a recent study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

So, how do you maintain your mental health this time of year?

The first step to prepping for mental health in the holiday season is mindfulness about yourself and your condition. No two people are the same, and no mental illness is the same.

One way to begin the learning process is to seek therapy. In this environment, you can gain access to a certified individual and receive one-on-one care and real-life tips on forming healthy habits in your everyday life.

One of the easiest ways to fight for your mental health is to begin setting clear boundaries around what you’re comfortable with. During the holiday season, this can mean attending fewer functions, not engaging with certain people, etc.

Creating boundaries is a great solution for those battling anxiety or seeking to increase healthy habits and self-care.

It’s easier said than done, but asking for help is an excellent way to impact your mental health positively. People diagnosed with any form of depression, including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, or other mental diagnosis, can benefit from letting loved ones or anyone designated to help into the conversation.

When alerted, loved ones can perform check-ins or any other steps you and your mental health care physician outlined.

It’s important to remember that asking for help shouldn’t jeopardize any boundaries you’ve established for your life.

It seems like a cliche, but building a healthy lifestyle can help boost your state of mind. Eating, sleeping, and exercise significantly affect your mood. Engaging in each activity allows you to be more physically and mentally balanced.

The four steps mentioned above are basic steps to improve your mental health this holiday season. You can find additional steps specific to your condition with your mental health care provider.

M3 Wake Research also provides access to clinical research studies for Depression, OCD, and more.