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Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many Alaskans are wondering what their holidays will look like this year. Whether you plan to celebrate with the family at home or travel to visit loved ones, checking in with yourself or a counselor can be a tool to help you prioritize your mental health. Here are some tips to learn more about the importance of self-care and how to take care of yourself during the winter holidays...

What Causes Holiday Anxiety?

While the holiday season is often a time of joy and celebration, it can bring feelings of stress or anxiety for many. Some may experience situational depressive feelings caused by financial or time constraints, or missing loved ones, while others might experience depression brought on by the season’s darkness.

This year, social distancing orders required many individuals to be isolated, compounding their feelings of loneliness. In some cases, holiday travel might also be a source of worry. Others might find their hosting duties or feelings of obligation overwhelming, and they might start to feel burned out.

How Stress Affects You

counselorWhile everyone responds to stress differently, ignoring mental health can result in a variety of physical and mental symptoms that can be particularly challenging during the holiday season. Physical symptoms often include headaches, muscle tension, appetite changes, and sleep loss, while emotional responses can include nervousness, sadness, irritability, hopelessness, or anger.

Being mindful of these changes can help you detect stress. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is encouraged that you step away from the situation and tell your family that you need some alone time, to nurture yourself.

How to Practice Self-Care

Self-care is essential when maintaining your mental health, especially over the holidays. Take the time to check in with yourself to make sure you're getting plenty of sleep and exercise and that you're not isolating yourself from friends and loved ones.

If you're feeling lonely, consider reaching out to a friend or counselor to talk through any negative emotions. Sometimes, naming the emotion and venting the frustrations can help you work through them more easily.

If you're feeling overburdened by holiday responsibilities, remember to take some time to relax. Try not to overextend yourself, and allow yourself to say no to obligations that create stress.

If you’re hosting a holiday celebration, ask guests to bring a dish or help out around the house to reduce the workload. Remember to take each goal one step at a time and set small achievable objectives to celebrate the victories. The holidays can be a joyous time, so working toward that goal for yourself is equally as important as the rest.

 

Take care of yourself this holiday season by contacting Colleen Torrence, MEd, LPC Inc. in Juneau, AK. With over 20 years of experience as a licensed counselor, Colleen specializes in working with patients experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Call (907) 789-9212 to schedule an appointment, or visit her online to learn more about her practice. 

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