The holiday season is nearly upon us, and mental health tends to fluctuate during this time. Students are gearing up to return home for Thanksgiving and winter break in the next few weeks. After being away from home for the last couple of months, routines will switch up, and with change sometimes comes stress. So, how should you protect your mental health during the holidays? I don’t have the answers, but I do have some tips.
Stay Active
It’s easy to overeat during the holiday season with so many food-focused festivities happening. You definitely shouldn’t feel bad for indulging in pumpkin pie or holiday cookies, because it’s absolutely the time of the year to do so! But if you make sure to stay active, you’re less likely to feel guilty about going back for seconds or even thirds. Try to get your steps in and schedule out some time for exercise, like going on a daily walk or bike ride. Research also shows that exercise is good for your mental health for a number of reasons, as it can increase energy levels, improve your sense of control and self-esteem, serve as an outlet for frustration and help you feel more relaxed. Additionally, if you prefer to exercise alone, scheduling regular workouts for yourself is a great way to recharge your social battery after so many parties and get-togethers with friends and family.
Don’t Overspend
The holidays can be costly, especially when it comes to buying gifts. Setting a budget for how much you are willing to spend on parties, outings and gifts will help you avoid going overboard with spending. Another way to save money on gifts is to shop online during sales and take advantage of discount shopping events like Cyber Monday. You shouldn’t let the holidays drain your savings account, and at the end of the day, the people you’re buying gifts for probably don’t want that for you either! If you’re looking for more holiday budgeting tricks and tips from some experts, check out a Forbes article on how not to overspend during the holiday season.
Strategic Social Planning
Think about activities you can do with friends that allow you to catch up without spending money. You can plan a bonfire and roast smores with your friends, enjoying a sweet treat and a good atmosphere to chat the night away. Another cost-friendly activity could be planning a hike. Pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and enjoy a cheap lunch with a view. Then, once the hike ends, you can go your own ways without the awkwardness of formally ending the hangout.
Avoid a Fight
Family reunions usually happen during the holidays, and getting wrapped up in differences and old feuds is easy. Sometimes just keeping the peace and walking away is truly the best answer. It is okay to have different opinions from Uncle John, and you probably aren’t going to change his mind, so don’t let a conversation get heated enough to disrupt your peace. You only have so much energy; don’t waste it on a relative you see twice a year.
Glass Half Full
Many emotions can be brought up during the holidays; sometimes, perspective is needed. Try to focus on the good in your life rather than the bad. If that means making a gratitude list to refocus your attention, so be it. Appreciating the small things might help you refocus on all the good going on in your life instead of the bad.
Written By Emily Rutkowski G’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications