It's All About the View

The holiday season can bring to mind so many different perceptions. It often depends on where we are viewing from and with whom we are sharing the view. Our previous experiences will influence how we feel about the Christmas season, our window if you will, that will frame our current outlook.  For some it will seem like a million twinkling incandescent lights but for others no number of lights will lift the darkness felt. It is important to be cognizant that the holiday season can bring with it the potential for increased stressors in addition to current world events, financial climate and environmental issues. 

No matter what the landscape is through the window which we view, how different it may be, something that is the same and important to all of our CAF families living in the Untited States, is that attention be paid to mental health well-being.  

We often disregard routine during the holiday season to make way for merriment and hurried preparations. This year note if healthy habits are placed aside to give way to late nights, increased consumption of treats or substances and running on empty to get that last Christmas light strung.  Below are a few reminders of practices that will help with maintaining positive physical and mental well-being.

Maintain Healthy Habits

• Sleep: Try to get 7-8 hours per night.
• Exercise: Continue to exercise throughout the holidays, it helps to relieve potential increased stressors.
• Nutrition: Eat balanced meals and avoid overindulgence of treats (it’s going to happen a little).
• Monitor Consumption of Alcohol/Substances: Do you consume a couple of sociables or do you become intoxicated frequently? If you find yourself inebriated often, it may be time to assess patterns of consumption.
• Practice Mindfulness: Try deep breathing exercises, meditation or yoga. 

Generosity abounds during the holidays, be it your time, talents or financial resources. The holiday season can be draining in many ways and can become stressful rather than enjoyable.  Try a couple of the following suggestions to minimize holiday season exhaustion.

Boundaries/Budget

This may be the year to firm up the ability to say “no” to overwhelming requests for assistance and invites. Maybe allowing someone else to host the festivities will be a relief as well as fun.

Set a budget and stick to it to prevent financial stressors that come with the bank and credit card statements in January.

Take time for yourself, go for a walk, watch a Hallmark movie, sit and listen to some Christmas tunes, the classics if you prefer, no judgement. It’s ok to clear your mind and enjoy some of the peace of the season.  

Make Time to Connect

It is critical to our mental health to feel a sense of connection, to foster important relationships in our lives and during the holiday season a lack of connection can be felt by an increased number of people. If not able to spend time with family back in Canada and celebrating the holidays abroad, be aware of how you are feeling and check in with friends and co-workers to see how they are doing. It can be an informal check, a telephone call, a quick chat in the parking lot or more substantial, an invite for dinner or accompany on an outing. If feeling homesick this may be the time to take a look around your local community. Check out local traditions and view Christmas in another country as a learning opportunity.

For some, grief may be felt during the season and it is ok to acknowledge those feelings and connect with a lost loved one. This can be done by continuing family traditions such as making a favorite recipe, listening to Christmas songs that remind you of your loved one or creating a new tradition, that is ok too. The holidays can be a wondrous time or a difficult period to be endured for some. It is important that you care for your mental health, continue healthy practices and make time to connect with loved ones and those that you provide support to as well as receive from in your lives. 

However you view the holidays, no matter the denominational lense, socio-economic status or family composition, remember to take the time to care for yourself and those around you. If you find yourself or a loved one struggling, feeling lonely or isolated, reach out to family, friends or become involved in a community activity. If you find yourself needing to speak with someone because you are experiencing a difficult time or require assistance for a family member, please visit our Family Mental Health webpage for various resources including the MFS US Family Counsellor and the Family Information Line (FIL) at 1-800-866-4546. 

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season.