Surviving the Holidays

The holidays can be tough, especially for those who are spending it alone this year. Your mental health can certainly start to decline, so to help combat this, here are a few tips I’ve come up with to get through this time of year. The first suggestion I have is for you to write down the names of a few of your closest friends and make a list of all the things you’re grateful for regarding them. Once you’ve done this, call each person up and tell them what you have written down. This will make everyone involved feel good; your friends will definitely feel special knowing how much you appreciate them and value their friendship. Staying in touch with people is critical during this time of year and can lift your mood immensely. Another coping technique you might use is doing something you enjoy. This could be anything: reading, writing, watching television. It doesn’t matter if you do something trivial like watching funny videos or engage in something more meaningful like writing a book – doing something you love is a sure way to brighten your spirits. Another thing you can do during the holiday season is to think about the positive aspects of your life. For example, you can reflect on all the great things you’ve done this year or think about the wonderful friends you have. Positive thinking is truly an effective way of making you feel better. Helping people is yet another way to improve your mood. If you know somebody that is also going to be alone for the holidays, give them a call to see how they’re doing. This time of year can be very tough for people and their well-being. Make sure you pay attention to how you are feeling so that you can take action in doing something positive rather than letting yourself slip into a depression. Instead of sitting around doing nothing, keep busy. However, be careful if you go outside because of the pandemic. Try to stay indoors as much as possible, but if you do decide to venture out, always wear a mask. Overall, the best advice I have for surviving the holidays is to stay in touch with people. Keep in mind just how hard this time can be for those who are alone. Make sure you call and talk to your friends; one phone call can make all the difference. Let people know you’re thinking about them and that you care about them. Even check in with friends who you may not be super close with. Finally, make sure you tell your family you love them. Say these words to your parents and thank them for everything they’ve done for you; you never know how much longer you’re going to have them for. I hope these tips have been helpful to you. Let’s make sure to check up on one another and make the people around you know they’re not alone.