Maintaining Mental Health During the Holidays
By Brandi Goodman
Stress is at an all-time high for many during the holiday season. You need to find methods for maintaining your mental health if you hope to make it through without a breakdown. It may take several solutions.
Don't Overspend
Spending more money than you really have on gifts puts major stress on your finances. You don't have to go broke to show people you love them. Don't overspend this season. Shop the sales, look online for special deals, shop at low-cost stores, or even create handmade gifts instead. Find ways to save and don't let yourself go over budget.
Surround Yourself With Others
Some people don't have many friends or family to spend the holidays with. You can still surround yourself with others if you're feeling isolated and alone. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Visit a local homeless shelter and ask how you can be of assistance. Maybe check with the V.A. You'll get to help those in need while also getting the help you need for your mental well-being.
Complete Random Acts of Kindness
Just as volunteering and helping others can bring you some peace, so can random acts of kindness. Complete these random acts all season long so you can inspire others and help yourself feel better in the process. You may feel a sense of joy and accomplishment as you see the smiles on other people's faces. Tell someone their shirt looks great. Pay for their meal in the drive-thru. Hand out gifts outside a homeless shelter. There's lots you can do to spread some cheer.
Get Some Exercise
Many people skip their fitness routines during the holidays. You may feel you're too busy and won't have the time to fit it in. Get some exercise. No matter how you have to fit it into your schedule be sure to do so. It releases endorphins that can boost your mood and help to burn some of those extra calories you may feel guilty about consuming. Try a 10-minute routine before work or sneak in some extra steps by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. There's always a way.
You can maintain your mental health during the holidays by keeping a few things in mind. Don't let the stress of the season get to you. Just take it one day at a time and make the most of the time you have.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Santee, Calif.