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Holiday Stress and Mental Health Challenges – A Blog on Mental Health

The holiday season can bring with it a lot of stress. Isolation, family stress, and unrealistic
expectations are just a few of the things that can make this time of year so difficult for so many
of us. Knowing yourself and your boundaries is important to enjoying this time of year, so your
friends at NAMI are here to help.

We’ve put together a list of tips to prevent and manage the challenges that can come with the
Holiday Season:

  • Acknowledge your needs: Recognize triggers and take steps to cope with stress.
  • Offer thanks: Reflect on some of the things that you are grateful for and consider doing a daily
  • gratitude exercise or journal.
  • Set limits: Don’t try to do too much. Prioritize your time and activities. It’s OK to say NO to plans
  • that make you feel uncomfortable.
  • Set boundaries: Accept that you can only control yourself and limit your exposure to certain
  • events or people if need be.
  • Practice self-care: Pull back if and when you need to. Take a walk, listen to music, write in a
  • journal, watch a movie, or just take some rest. Whatever you need to charge your batteries,
  • make sure there is time in your schedule for it.
  • Stick with your therapy and ask for help if you need it.

If you know someone who is struggling with mental health during this time of the year, here is how
you can support them:

  • Listen without judgment
  • Give reassurance and information
  • Ask how you can help
  • Encourage professional and self-help support

There are resources available for you!

  • If you find yourself struggling to manage, here are several great resources:
    24/7 Help Line: 419-255-3125
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “4Hope” to 741 741
  • Lucas County Emotional Support Line: 419-442-0580
  • NAMI Family Navigators: 419-243-1119

The “Holiday Blues” are very real, so it is important to stay in tune with your feelings. As
humans, we must show up for all of our emotional experiences, no matter how painful they are,
or they will continue to manifest in our lives in different ways. It is normal, expected, and just
plain human nature to have times when we are not okay. It is not always comfortable, but it is
vital for emotional growth! Remember, it is OK to not be OK, and you are not alone!

Happy holiday season wishes to all celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanza!