New year, new you — your gift should be physical, mental
The holiday season, often considered the most wonderful time of the year, can bring joy, laughter and precious moments with loved ones. For many people, it can also be a time of heightened stress.
The whirlwind of family gatherings, navigating schedules and emotional triggers can take a toll on one’s mental well-being. Study after study shows that much of the holiday load falls on women. Though every case is unique, women typically manage the house, children and celebratory responsibilities during this time of year.
The pressure to host picture-perfect celebrations and the expectations of creating a happy family environment can be overwhelming for anyone. For divorced women, the stressors are often amplified as they often navigate new co-parenting dynamics, potential loneliness,and sadness surrounding how life used to be.
As we enter the last push of this festive season, it is a perfect time for everyone, especially divorced women, to perform personal mental health check-ins to clear out the old and ring in the new.
The first step is to accept that some things are out of your control, including your current relationship status, feelings toward your ex or family dynamics. Releasing control will help offset feelings of stress, anger or depression.
With everything going on during the holidays it is a difficult season to resolve all of what has built up over the year — so try to let it go. If you start to feel the weight of the season, be honest with yourself, and instead of getting overwhelmed by negative feelings, do something that you love to do that will help recalibrate your attitude.
Take a walk and get some fresh air, perform a random act of kindness such as buying coffee for a stranger or volunteering, or meet a friend you haven’t seen in a while who might also be experiencing a similar holiday funk.
To navigate holiday stress effectively, it’s crucial to give yourself time to identify any signs of stress and exhaustion. Recognizing this early on can help prevent the development of long-lasting or even more serious mental health issues later.
To promote your well-being, try to stay present in each moment and enjoy the company of loved ones without constantly worrying about the next task on your to-do list. Also, make sure you have trusted people in your network and/or professionals you can reach out to when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to can snap you back into a cheerful state of mind.
Also, find time for some self-care by engaging in activities that bring you joy and feelings of relaxation, such as taking a bath, exercising, or reading. Make time for these practices to recharge your energy and reduce stress levels. Remember, taking care of yourself allows you to better support others and more fully enjoy the season.
Returning to your daily routine after a festive season can be a jarring experience. The abrupt shift from holiday mode to work or school can be a stressful transition. Giving yourself a buffer before the new year to process and set your intentions can make for a smoother transition.
Give yourself permission to assess your emotional state and establish a mindful approach to the challenges ahead.
Giving yourself time for a personal mental health check-in provides a self-accepting space for reflection, self-compassion and proactive management of stressors. Acknowledging and addressing the emotional challenges of the holiday season offers the groundwork for a healthier and more resilient new year.
Mental well-being is an ongoing process, and a post-holiday check-in is a valuable part of the journey. At year’s end we ask ourselves if an acquaintance should be forgotten … well, maybe the stressful ones.
Rebecca L. Palmer is a family and marital law attorney practicing in Orlando.