MENTAL HEALTH AND SELF-CARE OVER THE HOLIDAYs TAKES PRACTICE

Encouraging thoughtful traditions, boundaries, and wellness practices for a healthier holiday season.

By Maajlitaaziibiikwe Mary Sam

For some, the month of December brings joy, parties, presents, and family gatherings. For some, the holidays aren't always merry and bright. They can be difficult, lonely, even depressing. Sometimes life can feel overwhelming this time of year. Winter blues, work, children, family crises, life commitments, not having the funds to buy all that you want to buy, and remembering our loved ones who have passed can add stress to our lives, even amidst the excitement of the holiday season. For some, feeling left out of dominant society traditions that are on full display can feel lonely. Paying attention to our mental health and having a self-care plan during the holidays is super important. Taking time to create a wellness-focused holiday tradition that works for you and your family can help keep things manageable.

According to the American Psychological Association, not managing our stress can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. Prioritizing self-care is key to finding personal wellness. Self-care involves resting, connecting with others, managing stress, and honoring our feelings. Setting boundaries, establishing some healthy holiday habits, and reaching out for support from loved ones is important. If you are struggling, feeling depressed, or even considering harming yourself, please reach out to a professional. You don't have to go through this alone.

Practicing well-being includes:

Recognize that you have more choice and control than you realize. You can decide how to take care of you. A good way to approach things when they seem overwhelming is to take things one step at a time, one day at a time. Is there anything today that can wait or get broken down into smaller steps to feel more manageable?

Allow yourself time for self-reflection. Go to the water (or ice this time of year), out in the woods, to pause, put asemma out, and explore ways to slow down, breathe, and create realistic steps.

Honor your grief and other emotions; don't be so hard on yourself. Honor the losses you have experienced, setting up new traditions that work for you and your family. Honor your grief and try not to be so hard on yourself; your emotions are yours, they are real.

You may choose not to celebrate the holidays in the way that dominant culture does. That is OK - you get to choose. Create a plan that works for you and your family.

Setting boundaries with our children and family can be difficult but is an important step in self-care. It's OK to say "no" and to protect your own energy.

Decide how you want to, or if you want to, gift others, and remember it's OK to set limits.

Limit social media during the holidays, as we are so bombarded with images from others that may not reflect our own situation, lifestyle, and budget.

Get some rest, move your body, and keep some healthy habits. Drink lots of water.

Reach out — stay connected. Call one person every day.

Meaningful connection is super important. You don't need to go through this alone.

Focus on gratitude. Is there one thing you can celebrate or be thankful for each day?

Mille Lacs Band mental health therapists wish you a happy, restful, and wellness-focused holiday season. They are working over the holidays, so please reach out if you need to connect.

"Before you enter the holidays, take time for yourself and think about how you want the experience to be. Create a plan, set boundaries, and be intentional about cultivating joy. Holidays can be so hard, so setting boundaries and saying 'no' to things that you do not want to do can be the ultimate form of self-care." — Pennie Rubbelke, Behavioral Health Therapist.

"Stay connected to others. Take time to care for yourself; adapt activities to your energy level if you are feeling low. Acknowledge your feelings and do something to get active. Set realistic expectations for yourself and of others. Create new manageable traditions that bring you peace." - Catherine Colsrud, Mental Health Therapist District I| and District Ill.