We are entering the festive season and this signifies moments of pleasure for most people but if you are battling mental illness, they can actually pose as a moment of great anxiety. Below I have just written some of the things that you can do to decrease the anxiety that comes with holidays.
- Do not forget your support system. Take time to get together with your support team or connect through online chats, WhatsApp, skype, messenger, zoom, or other platforms. Share funny or inspirational messages with them to check in on each other.
- If you need help, ask for it. You don’t have to do it all by yourself. Ask a friend or relative to help you do chores such as cooking or going to buy groceries. Help is always available if you ask for it.
- Don’t stay longer than you can bear, stick to your schedule. If you visit people or attend a party, don’t stay longer than you intend to, you have no obligation to do so. Knowing you have a plan to leave can really ease your anxiety.
- Stick to your routine. As much as you can try, try to stick to your routine and not change it much. Don’t stay up too late and lose sleep as this can make your mood deteriorate
- Don’t overspend, stick to your budget. The cost of holiday shopping mounts quickly and can make people feel out of control and anxious. Draw up a realistic budget before you start shopping and stick to it.
- Be grateful for your life and stop comparing yourself with anyone. Forget about what everyone else is doing or the gifts they are getting and enjoy what your life has blessed you with.
- If you are taking medication, don’t miss your doses. In the hustle of the holidays, it’s easy to slack off and miss medication. Make reminders to take your medication and make sure you have enough stock for the whole holiday period. Refill your script before you go away and don’t wait till you run out to get your meds.
- Do not rely on substances in order to cope. Remember that alcohol is a depressant and there are other drugs that are stimulants and abusing any of them will only leave you feeling worse afterward. Especially if you are taking medication, avoid using substances.
If you need to speak to a professional counsellor, don’t forget to get in touch with Psyche and Beyond.
Website: https://psycheandbeyond.org/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/psycheandbeyond/
Whatsapp: +2761 853 0124
Email: psycheandbeyond@gmail.com / info@psycheandbeyond.org
You can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and Tiktok for more mental health tips.
