HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!
THE HOLIDAY season can be a difficult and dangerous time for people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
Being aware of your needs and triggers, taking care of your physical health and managing your time are just a few of the steps you can take to manage the increasing stress, anxiety, and grief that the holiday season may bring.
Planning and getting through the holidays can be stressful regardless of the anticipated enjoyment of the coming days. It is a time when we’re encouraged to think about other people instead of ourselves and that’s fine to a point. However, if you focus so much on other people that you neglect yourself, you run the risk of relapse.
People with mental illnesses have more difficulty dealing with a change in routine, which may cause them to experience holidays as negative events and family members may struggle to understand why the person is not in the holiday spirit. Holidays can be a chaotic time with hectic schedules, numerous activities, and frequent gatherings with a lot of noise and increased visual stimulation. This can lead to feelings of confusion, anxiety, depression, reappearance of psychotic symptoms or unwelcome physical changes in eating, sleeping, energy level and daily functioning.
TIPS FOR COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS
• Take your medications as prescribed.
• Try to get the sleep you need.
• The holiday season does not stop
feelings of sadness and loneliness. Give yourself permission to work through these feelings.
• Don’t compare this season with previous ones. Enjoy all the little things you have now.
• Talk about the stress you feel with people you can trust
• Keep expectations manageable. Plan your work and work your plan.
• Do something nice for yourself.
• Do something nice for someone else.
• Surround yourself with loved ones
• Reflect on positive memories from this year and try to build on them.
• Don’t allow yourself to dwell on the negative. If the negative thoughts come, acknowledge them and let them go. Return to a positive thought or memory.
Don’t beat yourself up for having a negative thought.
TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR DRUG & ALCOHOL USE DURING FESTIVE HOLIDAYS
• Ask a trusted friend or family member for support with limiting your alcohol/drug use.
• Set limits before going out and stick to them
• If you don’t want a drink or drugs, prepare a reason to avoid others pressuring you, e.g “that you are taking medication or that you are driving”.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat before going out.
• Avoid pre-drinking/pre-using before going to an event.
• Try not to mix drugs and alcohol.
• Spend time with people who don’t use or drink.
• Take care of yourself, eat good food, get enough sleep and exercise.
• If you’re going out, find a designated driver.
Remember, you are not alone, many people find this festive holiday period challenging and you will get through it.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year!!
BOSASNET offers counselling services to people experiencing problems with substance use, depression, anxiety, stress, anger management and adjustment issues. If you think that you might have a problem mentioned above, or if you have a friend or family member who does, we encourage you to seek help. For some, it can mean the difference between life and death. You can find BOSASNET on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit us on www.bosasnet.com, or call us on 3959119 or 72659891 for more information.