With the pandemic forcing everyone inside even more than usual and financial worries weighing on minds everywhere, this holiday season may be a time of high stress for many. Studies have shown that 60%-88% of people feel stressed during the holidays; and that’s without all the uncertainty of our current state.
Stress has many affects on us including low energy, insomnia, headaches and chest pains. Stress has also been known to increase individuals’ risk of anxiety, depression, obesity and heart disease. Women often take the brunt of holiday stress between work, home and community commitments.
“Mental health is at the base of our physical health,” said Terry Dunn, M.D., FACOG, FPMRS, owner of Foothills Urogynecology. “We must take the time to evaluate our mental state and take steps to improve it in order to help control our general health.”
There are several things that individuals can do to improve their mental state.
- Healthy eating habits
- Take a breather
- Meditate
- Gratitude journal
- Laugh/smile
Eating healthy has been shown to improve brain function and energy levels along with self-esteem and mood. When individuals eat healthier, they tend to feel better about themselves and their outlook on life changes accordingly.
Even when, and sometimes especially when, we are surrounded by those we love, it is beneficial to take a breather. Taking a mental and physical break from our worries and situations gives our bodies and minds time to recover and regroup to come back stronger than before.
“We need to separate ourselves from others and take some time for ourselves. It does not have to be long; 20 minutes is just fine for many,” said Dr. Dunn. “Often we just need to know it is okay to give ourselves the permission to take that time without any guilt or added stress.”
Meditation is used by millions of people throughout the world to gain clarity and invigorate their minds. Meditation helps individuals gain new perspectives on stressful situations, minimizes negative emotions, helps build stress management skills and increases self-awareness and patience.
Gratitude has been linked to better sleep, lower stress levels and improved health. Gratitude journals are one way to help individuals focus on what they are grateful for and bring focus to the positive side of life. By doing so, these individuals generally feel happier and have a more positive outlook on their life.
When you laugh and smile it releases chemicals in your brain that act as mild pain relievers and antidepressants that can help improve your mood and make you feel better. Another way to think about it is that laughter is a natural mood enhancer. If you are feeling stressed or depressed, watching a comedy or simply smiling for the sake of it can be a good step to feeling better.
https://yourhub.denverpost.com/blog/2020/12/mental-health-during-the-holidays/271946/
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