There’s a significant amount of pressure on women during the holidays. With constant demands on your time and energy, this merry time of year can positively and negatively impact your mental health. It’s critical to take a step back and regroup if you’ve begun to feel overwhelmed or stressed during this time. Doing so will ensure that you can enjoy the benefits of this beautiful season with your friends and loved ones.
If you’re one of the millions of women who struggle with mental health or substance abuse during the holidays, it’s not too late to reach out for treatment. At our women’s addiction treatment center, we strive to give women the tools that they need to manage their mental health, no matter what time of year it is. To learn more about how we can help, contact Crossroads Maine today at 877.978.1667.
How the Holidays Can Negatively Affect Your Mental Health
Women face unique challenges around the end of the year. You may feel pressure about planning a fun and socially distant holiday party for your loved ones. Alternatively, you may be attending parties where people ask uncomfortable questions about your sobriety or your mental health. If you manage to avoid parties, there is still pressure to get the perfect gift for everyone on your list, which can put you into financial strife. Each of these factors increases your stress levels. If you battle anxiety, this additional stress can be debilitating.
Additionally, the holidays put pressure on those who have depression. For instance, seeing everyone celebrating with their loved ones can put a damper on your own celebrations, especially if you cannot be with your friends and family. Perhaps this is the first Christmas or New Year without someone you love. Maybe the knowledge that this year won’t be like last year is taking its toll on you. There are a wide array of causes of depression during the holidays, including:
- Fatigue
- Over-commercialization
- Unrealistic expectations
- Stress
- Financial difficulties
Managing the Effects of the Holidays On Your Mental Health
While the holidays can have a negative toll on your mental health, there are a variety of ways that you can take back control. First, it’s vital to acknowledge how you’re feeling. It’s okay to be sad if someone you love has recently passed away or if you can’t be with the people you love. Take some time to express your feelings or cry. You may find doing so is cathartic and helpful for your overall health.
In addition, you should remember that you don’t have to manage your mental health on your own. Reach out to your support group or religious community. These communities can offer you companionship and support as you work through the challenges you face. You can also try talking to a friend or a family member over a call or video chat. You might find that your loved ones are having the same challenges you are and can offer advice or coping mechanisms that you hadn’t thought about before.
There is a range of other ways to manage your holiday stress, such as:
- Planning ahead for parties, social occasions, and expenditures
- Create a budget and stick to it
- Stick to healthy habits, such as exercising, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding drugs and alcohol
- Take a break if you need it
If these helpful tips can’t help you handle your mental health, it may be time to reach out to a professional mental health treatment center.
Contact Crossroads Maine
At Crossroads Maine, we understand the challenges that women are facing around this time of year. We want to help you regain control so that you can manage your mental health and enjoy the merry celebrations. As such, we offer a variety of therapeutic treatments, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
To learn more about our treatment methods, contact Crossroads Maine today at 877.978.1667.
