“I’m about to go crazy”. Such is our scapegoat whenever we are overwhelmed, upset or irritated. And, with the holidays upon us, we can easily fall victim to stress. What if we could sense our mental health start to decline?
Mental wellness is very important and it is something that should not just be noticed in the midst of a hardship. The earlier we become aware of our mental health, the better of we will be in the long run.
Mental health encompasses everything that is “you”. It includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how you think, feel, act, relate to others, and how you cope with the normal stresses of life. According to mhww.org, the onset of many mental health problems result from chemical changes in our brain triggered by physical or emotional stressors.
There have been many studies that show that people are more likely to fall into deep depression and commit suicide during the holiday season. It would be wise to heed this statistic and get into the habit of developing coping skills that will help us get through the holiday blues or any other negative circumstance that life may throw our way. Here is a list of some good coping skills:
1 Time to Yourself: Make it a habit to have daily “me” time. Give yourself some time to relax and escape all the stress around you.
2 Hobbies: In your leisure time, dedicate some time to pursue your interests: gardening, painting, dancing, playing an instrument, anything that brings you joy!
3 Nutrition: Nourishing the body with the proper nutrients will not only improve your physical health, but it also plays a major role in your mental health.
4 Sleeping: Getting the adequate amount of sleep, about 8 hours, is not just for children. Sleeping is one of the ways our body repairs itself after a long and stressful day.
5 Relationships: Having strong bonds with people (family, friends or your significant other) that are willing to listen and support you through the good and bad times is essential.
6 Recognize Your Worth: Stay humble at heart, but do not shy away from recognizing your triumphs, your worth and your capabilities. This will empower you and allow you to see things from a positive perspective.
Take a deep breath and take one day at a time. Always remember that even the darkest of hours only has 60 minutes. Cheers friends and happy holidays!
