With the holidays here, some people experience an immense load of stress as a result. From shopping to putting up decorations to hosting guests, the holidays are not always so “holly jolly.” Here are some tips and tricks to help relax and enjoy this holiday season.
According to The World Health Organization (who.int), mental health can be defined as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. Mental health is essential for one’s overall well-being, and especially during this busy time of year, it is important to take time for oneself. Junior Aidan Pearsall explained, “Mental health is important because it can sometimes affect your health as a whole. Being down on yourself makes your body feel down, leading to you feeling unwell both physically and mentally.” Senior Jacqueline Thayer agreed: “People often get somatic symptoms when they’re anxious or upset, so it is important to recognize them and assess them.”
Mindfulness and yoga teacher Deborah Debetta explained, “The holidays can be really challenging for those with mental health issues. The holidays are associated with being the merriest and happiest time of year, but this experience is not the same for everyone. Some people have lost loved ones, have to travel to a different place due to a divorce, have to deal with the financial burden of gift shopping, or are coping with grief.” Debetta said how she likes to tell her students to “Have a Holiday!” instead of “Happy Holidays” since the holidays are not always so happy for everyone. Debetta advised students to be aware that people may have different situations and to just support them as much as possible.
When stressed, it is important to take time for yourself. Debetta expressed, “I personally love yoga and meditation. It is a great way to take your mind off things and de-stress.” Furthermore, Pearsall added, “When I am busy, I take time to breathe and slow things down. This helps me a lot because it stops my brain from going 100 miles per hour and brings it back to normal.” In addition, Pearsall uses sleep to de-stress: “When you are stressed, it’s important to remember at the end of the day you get to go to bed. Sometimes, when I have a busy day ahead, as soon as I get home the first thing I want to do is go to bed, which helps to decompress and relax my body and mind from the day.” Finally, Thayer commented, “I enjoy going for a walk, playing volleyball with my brother, watching my favorite show, or drawing to take time for myself and calm down despite the chaos that may surround me.”
“Overall mental health is something that everyone struggles with at some point in their lives, and it’s just as important to talk about that as it is to talk about physical health,” Pearsall said. Ultimately, having a healthy mind is vital to having a healthy body. Whether it is taking a walk, writing in a journal, or talking it out, do not forget to take time for yourself this holiday season.
