6 Tips to Boost Mental Health Through the Holidays
The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of year, but that’s certainly not always the case! Between the holiday shopping rush, scheduling time to visit all of your loved ones, and all of that extra traffic from seasonal travelers, you might not be feeling as much holiday cheer as you’d like. But don’t let it wear you down! Check out these tips to help you slow down and boost your mental health through the holiday season.
Schedule In Your “Me Time”
While you’re planning all of the fun, festive activities you’re going to do during your precious holiday time, don’t forget to schedule in some time to just take care of yourself!
The holidays are filled with tons of activities, from family gatherings to late-night outings with friends. That’s why it’s important to leave plenty of time to sleep, exercise, or just be alone – whatever things you need to help you relax and recharge!
Get Enough Sleep
In a season chock full of wonderful indulgences, sleep is something that’s often in short supply. Whether you’re staying up late to spend time with visiting relatives or waking up early with excited kids or early plans, you might find yourself burning the candle at both ends during the holidays.
And as any cranky toddler will gladly demonstrate, being tired is a surefire way to make you irritable and generally not feeling your best. Prioritize plenty of time for those Z’s, and your mental health during the holidays will thank you for it!
Plan Fun Activities to Connect With Friends
There’s really nothing more mood-boosting than sharing a laugh or a heart-to-heart with your favorite people. While everyone is off work and embracing their holiday cheer, plan a few fun (and unique!) activities to bond over.
A painting event at Painting with a Twist is the perfect way to bring everyone together — and with our new Zen Collection, everyone will leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Listen to calming music, sip your favorite adult beverage, and paint a beautiful, calming painting with the help of our instructors.
When Things Get Stressful, Keep It Simple
Many people approach the holidays with a to-do list as long as their expectations. If you find yourself getting stressed, try to scale back your tasks and your standards, and just keep things simple.
You don’t need to serve an 8-course meal, send out the most flawless holiday cards, or purchase the most elaborate gifts. The holidays are a time to focus on relationships and gratitude, and everything else is extra. Let it go!
Embrace Those Endorphins.
It’s hard to fit in exercise when there is so much fun stuff going on — and eating leftover pie for breakfast sounds way better than going for a jog. However, breaking a sweat really can do wonders for your mental health.
Making time for 30 minutes of exercise a day can help create a positive mindset and rosier outlook in general. If you’re looking for tips on how to help seasonal affective disorder, you’ll be happy to know that exercise also checks that box!
Set Healthy Boundaries
From start to finish, the entire holiday season is filled with various obligations. From work parties to school parties to holiday shopping to holiday cooking to festivities with your family, your in-laws, your friends – it’s exhausting just thinking about it all!
One of the best things you can do is identify when you need to create boundaries, and then learn how to stand by them. It is ok to say no to an invitation or a request when you’re feeling drained. It is more than ok to take care of yourself!
The holidays are joyful, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stressful, too. Take a break from the holiday hustle and grind with a visit to a Painting with a Twist studio near you! Bring your favorite beverage and relax as our instructors guide you through creating your very own painting to help you recharge your mental health.