How We Can Change The Holiday Season Around Our Mental Health
Parul Shah MSP, RSW, CCPA (Doctoral Candidate)
Founder, Owner & Psychotherapist of Embracing Empowerment Counselling Services /Creator, Owner and Co-Facilitator of Empowering First Responder Families Peer Support Group? and Empowering Lens? .
The holiday season is not a holly jolly one for all!
Instead of saying to all of you of how to be happy, we’ve decided to reframe some phrases that can make the holiday season a little lighter.
We all assume people have friends and family to see, yet many are left with no one to spend time with on a daily basis.
Reframing this may not bring in joy and happiness but it may allow you to see that you are important no matter who is around you or not.
1. Let yourself be the way you feel. Acknowledging feeling and validating them - “ I’m sad because....” “ I’m anxious because......” “ I’m angry because...” When we acknowledge our emotions, it brings back some power of control even in an uncontrollable situation.
2. Have a Christmas that works for you. If you choose to not to make a dinner for yourself, order in early, warm it up later! Many cultures do not celebrate Christmas, ask yourself “ what do they do when others are cooking a turkey?!”
3. Think of it as a rest day! When many offices/malls are closed- give yourself the permission to self care . Remembering that self care is not only necessary it’s essential to human rejuvenation!
4. And most importantly if you feel alone, know you’re truly not alone - there on 24/7 crisis services that can guide and help you, even if it’s just to get through the holiday season!
#GetLouderOnMentalHealth #MentalHealth #HolidaySeason