‘Tis the season to be jolly... but it’s not always that easy
THE holiday season is well and truly upon us and, although it’s often a joyful time of year, there are different factors to consider when it comes to protecting your mental health.
There can be many pressures during the festive season and an expectation to “be happy”.
But what if you’re not? What if you’re experiencing difficulties that make Christmas feel like a strain? How, in general, do we stay mentally well at this time of year?
According to numerous UK mental health charities, Christmas is a time when those who suffer from mental illness feel especially vulnerable, so it’s important to do what you can to take care of yourself.
BREATHE SLOWLY
WHEN we are anxious, our breathing becomes fast and shallow. When we breathe more slowly, this helps our racing minds to calm down.
Whenever you’re feeling stressed, take a few minutes to focus on your breathing, making sure that you exhale for longer than you inhale.
NOURISH YOUR BODY
low mood with foods high in sugar and saturated fats.
You can find brain-boosting, healthy fats in oily fish, seeds and nuts. Try to make sure that your meals remain balanced and avoid eating too many quick, festive sugar fixes.
LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE
INITIALLY, alcohol can make us feel relaxed and happy – but pretty quickly this effect is reversed. Alcohol literally depletes the bit of our brain that is responsible for making us feel jolly and contributes to insomnia too. If you do drink alcohol, limit your consumption and break this up by
GET OUTDOORS
REGULAR, moderate exercise lifts your mood and helps you to stay fit and healthy. Getting outside can also help clear your mind and give you a break when stress levels are high.
BE KIND
TAKING a compassionate stance towards ourselves and others has a very real effect on our happiness.
When you’re feeling down or frustrated, try placing a hand on your chest and saying to yourself “this is a moment of suffering. It shows that I care”.