Chat with Me, Ep. 006 | Keeping Your Mental Health Strong During the Holidays

The holidays can be a very challenging time. This episode highlights at 3 steps to maintain mental health strength during the holidays.

The holidays can be a very challenging time. You may have concerns about weight gain, family members, work, money, and all kinds of other things and especial COVID!  The good news is that, even with all these concerns, you can keep your mental health strong and vibrant during the holidays…EVEN DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING. 
You can have great joy during the busiest of times with some positive choices. Joy comes from within, and taking control of your life brings you both confidence and joy. During the holiday season, though, it can seem like your life gets out of control very easily. There's always so much to do, and people are generally more demanding of your time and energy; and even though many of us are not traveling as much due to COVID restrictions, there are still emotional and mental challenges that hover over head because of the drastic changes due to the pandemic. 
Follow these steps to protect and preserve your mental health during the holidays:
Remember the value of quiet time. One of the biggest stressors you may have to deal with when the holidays are in full swing is the lack of personal time. It's easy to get wrapped up in everyone else's drama and not take any time for yourself. Take time for yourself so you have the energy to pour into others. Self-care is key! Do not neglect yourself.

Take a few minutes each day to unwind and relax. You'll be happier and more interested in doing things with others. Recharge emotionally, mentally, and physically. 
Find time to pursue your inner peace. You can pray, meditate, exercise, or just sit and watch some television or read a book. No matter what you do in your downtime, remember that having that time is vital.
The Busy Holiday Season is Only Temporary
The holidays require more of your time and effort, but the season will soon pass. Keep your head up when you're doing all the extra things you have to do. Those extras will only be required for a few weeks. Things will be back to normal and your life's balance will be more easily restored. 
If you're having trouble coping with the holiday season, do the things you'd normally do when the holidays are over. That way, you'll feel more focused and your routine will be more familiar to you. For example, consider:
Exercising each day to stay fit and work off accumulated stressGetting your work done on time, so you're not frustrated and overly busy at homeKeeping your house clean, so you have less to do after the holidays are overEating right to provide your body with the fuel it needs for energyPlanning something special so you can relax after the holidays are over
There are plenty of ways you can keep your mental health strong. You can even say affirmations to yourself each day in order to help maintain a positive attitude. You may feel a little strange at first, but you'll soon see the benefits of incorporating positive thinking into your daily routine. Take a few minutes each morning when you get up and before you go to bed to recite positive affirmations to yourself, for yourself and about yourself. Be grateful for all of the good in your life instead of rehearsing the bad. 
Your mental health and strength are very important to you and the people who rely on you. Because of that, you must keep yourself fresh and energized during the holidays. Focusing on what matters to you and paying attention to what's really important go a long way toward keeping you mentally healthy.

Affirmation: I will only focus on what I can control. I cannot control others. I can only control my reaction and responses to others. I will control Me.