While the holidays can bring lots of fun and excitement, it can also come with its share of stressors with the extra financial and time commitments.  Tasha Collins, Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Weyburn Branch, reminds that we are all affected this time of year and part of managing our mental health is taking time to recognize what is important to us so that we can maintain balance throughout the holiday season. 

“Holiday stress hits us all, affects all of us but maybe in different ways,” said Collins. “People maybe are struggling to make ends meet or have few family connections.” 

“It’s really about finding a balance... on TV we see these families that are close knit and trouble free, and sometimes there’s this underlying message that something is wrong with us if we don’t have those same close family connections,” continued Collins. 

To help alleviate some of the holiday pressures Collins recommends the following ten stress busting tips: 

Tip 1:  Plan Ahead  

“We want to make sure we keep it simple,” explained Collins.  “I am a big fan of To Done Lists, I make a list of things that I have done not necessarily the things I have to do, and that sometimes creates a different perspective of how I look at things.”   

 

Tip 2:  Organizing and Delegating 

“We want to make sure we aren’t over extending ourselves with too many commitments...focus on what’s really important to you and your family,” said Collins. 

To help reduce the stress that might mean having one person cook the turkey, another making the potatoes, and another making the salad and desert. 

 

Tip 3:  Over Indulgence 

“I think everything is okay for us in moderation... in terms of over indulgence be mindful of the holiday spirits or how much fruit cake you’re are taking in... maybe it means not going for the second serving of potatoes,” explained Collins. 

“I’ve been in the place where I've had turkey supper... and feel lethargic and tired...and then after the holidays feeling guilty for some of that over indulgence,” shared Collins. 

 

Tip 4:  Staying Within a Budget 

“Over extending our budget can sometimes get us into that feeling of guilt afterwards,” said Collins. 

“Making a phone call, face timing, or writing a letter can be just as touching as getting a gift and sometimes it’s even more meaningful,” explained Collins. 

 

Tip 5:  Remembering What The Holiday Season Is About For You 

 “The season doesn’t have to be about new toys or even giving and receiving gifts, it could be about creating your own meaningful traditions,” explained Collins. 

 

Tip 6:  Inviting Others 

“Inviting or being in contact with others...in the last year and a half we’ve tried to keep in touch with everybody, we’ve had some troubles with everything COVID,” explained Collins. 

“If you know someone who is alone over the holidays or is struggling through the holidays, just reach out to them, have a phone call conversation, or meet up with them and go for a walk,” said Collins.  “Try to engage that person who is alone throughout the holidays.” 

When struggling, the tendency is often to self-isolate, creating engagements can often help someone lift out of a lonely place. 

 

Tip 7:    Help Others Learn About Shared Social Responsibility 

 “Encouraging family and friends to make gifts for others...so the focus is on the giving instead the buying or the spending...remind others it doesn’t have to be something with a monetary value in order to be a wonderful gift,” explained Collins.  

 

Tip 8:  Gift Giving Made Easier And Less Expensive 

“Helping reduce expenses by refocusing energies on the thoughtfulness of a gift or the creativity or making the gift truly personal to somebody,” said Collins. 

 

Tip 9:  Put Fun, Humor, Affection And Break-Time Into Your Holidays 

“Laughter can be really important, it’s a natural release of stress, if you can find a funny Christmas movie to watch with your family, it can really change our perspective,” said Collins. 

“Sometimes I fake it until I make it,” shared Collins.  “If you put a pencil in your mouth... it tricks your brain into thinking you’re smiling,” explained Collins. 

 

Tip 10:  Remembering The Weather Doesn’t Help 

“We have shorter days...remembering the weather doesn’t cooperate with our mental health...our moods are affected during this time of year,” explained Collins. 

 

Tasha Collins and the staff at CMHA wish everyone a joyful holiday season.