How to Beat the Holiday Blues this Festive Season

The holiday season and the time of joy and merriment is right around the corner, but let’s not forget that this time is not so merry for a lot of people out there. According to a survey published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI ) in 2019, as much as 44.3 million adults in the United States experience mental illness each year! Add to this the feeling of loneliness that increases during the festive season and you get a massive chunk of the overall population that needs a bit of the holiday’s “pick – me – up” magic. If you or someone you know falls in the category of people who find the holiday season daunting and would prefer any other time of the year rather than the jolly Christmas time, then you must consider approaching a Mental Health Therapist in Palm Beach.
In order to cope with the Holiday Blues, many counsellors provide anxiety treatment in West Palm Beach, tailored specifically around the festive season. Here are some tips you can follow in order to beat those Holiday Blues!
• Talk about your feelings. The most important part of the recovery process is “talking it out”. If you do not feel comfortable talking to a professional, you could always confide in a loved one. However, whoever you talk to, make sure that they provide you with a safe non – judgemental space to vent. Talking about your feelings is the first step towards “letting go” of all the anger, frustration, anxiety, guilt, etc that are holding you back from enjoying the gift of life.
• Take care of yourself. Ever noticed how cranky you get in the mornings if you haven’t had a good night’s sleep the previous day? This is because the body is an organic machine that needs proper care. If you are not going to use your car continuously 24/7, due to the fear of the engine burning up, then how can you use your body continuously without giving it proper rest and nourishment? Getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals at proper times and regular exercise is the key to reduce stress and improve the mood by relieving anxiety.
• Avoid triggers. In order to avoid triggers, you first need to identify them properly. Whenever you feel your anxiety or depression levels increasing, try to gauge your surroundings and pin – point the source of the distress. It could be the holiday music, the festive decorations, the turkey or pie that reminds you of a loved one you lost, or it could be the social pressure to attend events and gatherings. Try to limit your exposure to things that make you feel worse as much as possible.
• Create new traditions. There are many traditions around Christmas and other holidays that might no longer be enjoyable for some people due to various life experiences. However, it is perfectly okay to let go of such traditions if all they do is bring misery instead of merriment. Feel free to explore your interests and devise new traditions for a happier future for yourself and your loved ones. After all, it is the season of togetherness and you cannot make your loved ones happy unless and until you yourself are content.
• Seek professional help. If these techniques are not enough to make you merry during the festive season, do not hesitate to seek anxiety treatment in West Palm Beach. There are a number of coping skills and mechanisms that a licensed therapist can teach you, while helping you develop a strategy to beat the holiday blues this season. You could consider online therapy as well in case you have the blues of social stigma as well.
Keep in mind that the holiday season does not need to be a time of hibernation from society. With proper care and attention, you could also be a part of the merriment around you without becoming a Grinch or a Cast – Out. Do not let yourself be swept away in misery this festive season. May you be merry now and always!

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