Whether it’s stressful because of school, family life, or seasonal depression, the holidays can be tough for many reasons.  Here are some helpful tips to help you survive the holiday season! 

A very important thing to remember is that you always come first. You, as a reader, might be thinking, “What about others?” or “I can’t help it!”, but you come first. At the end of the day, you are only responsible for yourself, so make sure to be kind and take care of your brain and body.  If the holiday season becomes too overwhelming, find time to breathe.  Breathing can help you ground yourself and realize that it is all going to be okay.  

Setting goals is always an amazing thing to do when you’re stuck in life and don’t know what to do, whether it’s making your bed, going on a walk, or getting something to eat/drink.  Making and achieving goals can help boost your self-esteem and make you feel accomplished.  Having that sense of self-recognition and something to look forward to each day, can actually boost your self-worth.  The little things can go a long way. If you can’t think of goals to set, a goal that I recommend is taking a walk outside. The process of getting dressed/ready and moving around is helpful, and the walk itself is a great way to clear your head!  Getting some fresh air and feeling refreshed is always something to look forward to!

Another thing to try is to make some sort of routine. Most people think, “How am I supposed to keep a schedule going when Winter is one of the most chaotic seasons?” and I totally agree with that statement! This schedule doesn’t have to be something huge; it’s better if it’s not because simpler schedules are easier to stick to.  An example can be a morning schedule, such as: by X time I should be awake/out of bed, then I should drink and/or eat something, brush my teeth, and make my bed.  It can be that simple. Just getting yourself into a routine is key to keeping yourself motivated.  

A last tip for the holiday season is to have a safe person. This person should be someone you can go to if you have any troubles.  For example, if a conflict comes up, and you really don’t know how to react, you can go to this person and talk to them about it.  I’m not saying to trauma dump, but having someone that you feel comfortable talking to/being with is crucial to feeling less alone. This person should also be reliable. For example, this person should be someone who texts/calls you back or understands you/what you’re going through to provide valuable insight into these troubling situations.  This person doesn’t even have to verbally respond.  Having someone that can listen to you can help significantly! And if you are that safe person, looping back to the first tip, you come first.  If a friend is talking to you and they are negatively affecting your mental health in any way, you have every right to say, “Hey, I appreciate you talking to me about this, but I need a minute to process things going on in my own life” or “I care about you but am not in the mental state to help right now. ” Don’t feel like you’re being selfish for advocating for your needs; you are not, I promise! <3

I hope everyone reading this has a nice holiday season and stays safe and healthy!