The end of the year is near, and this can be an exciting time. For many of us the end of the year represents a much deserved break from work, having some down time to rest and recover, catching up with family and friends over the holidays and hopefully enjoying some warm weather! Particularly after the past few years, still dealing with the ramifications of the pandemic, saying goodbye to another year can be relieving, and we welcome in a new one with hope and enthusiasm.
However, the holiday season can also bring with it some challenges. Catching up with family isn’t always exciting - for some of us with tension or strain within the family unit, spending time together over the holidays can be really stressful. On this note comes my first tip:
Establish healthy boundaries
While seeing family during the festive season can be an unavoidable obligation, if you are someone that finds this stressful see if you can implement some boundaries to make it more tolerable. Whether this means being clear about the amount of time you are willing to spend, or choosing which events you feel comfortable attending altogether, you have every right to make the decision that takes into account your wellbeing and prioritises your mental health. Similarly, establishing healthy boundaries might also look like respectfully asserting what conversations you are willing to have, and what things you would prefer not to talk about.
Additionally, for those of us who prefer the routine and predictability that comes with work, having a lot of free time and lack of structure over the holiday season can feel anxiety-provoking. So here comes tip number 2:
Establish a sense of routine (that takes into account self-care)
If you are someone that thrives off a sense of structure and routine, see if you can find a way to implement this in your time off. Consider sticking with the same bedtime routine that you have during the work year, to ensure you are getting enough sleep and that your body clock retains good habits. Think about how else you can structure your day to include some consistency; activities you could include are things like meal times, exercise, making plans with friends, time to explore other interests/hobbies etc. Consider also scheduling in some self-care, whatever that might look like to you!
The end of the year and the holiday season can also represent a longer break in therapy for some. To manage this, consider having a conversation with your psychologist about how to plan for this. Some tips to consider are thinking about who constitutes your support network, and who you could speak to if you are needing a bit of extra support. Perhaps consider picking up your journal to get your thoughts and feelings out. Finally, you could always call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or speak with someone online here to speak with someone 24/7.
Wishing you happy holidays from everyone here at Melbourne Wellbeing Group.
If you would like to talk to someone in the new year, give our team a call to arrange an appointment on (03) 9882-8874.