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Mental Health During Christmas

Even though Christmas is seen as a festive, exciting time for most, it can also be a very lonely and stressful period for others. Here are a few things to take into account when you are prone to poor mental health during this time

NEW YORK, NY, December 14, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Even though Christmas is seen as a festive, exciting time for most, it can also be a very lonely and stressful period for others. Even though this might be the case - don't worry - as there are many things to be done to ensure that you too can have a happy festive season. Here are a few things to take into account when you are prone to poor mental health during this time:

Food
For most of us, Christmas time has become known as a period of over-indulgence, which makes us feel pressured to lose weight in the new year. Feeling overweight and bloated will definitely not add to happy feelings during this time. Try to maintain a healthy weight and diet as it will improve your mood and prevent symptoms of irritability and lethargy by maintaining a good balance of omega-3 foods, protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables. If you want to stay healthy, not only during Christmas but throughout the year, make sure to visit Authority Health for the latest tips and advice on leading an overall healthy life.

Alcohol
Even though alcohol may make you feel more relaxed, remember that it is also a depressant which might cause potentially aggressive behavior, irritability or low mood. If sustaining good physical and mental wellbeing is important to you, aim not to exceed the recommended units of alcohol. Read more about the health risks associated with using too much alcohol here.

Stay active
Exercise releases feel-good hormones which will help to boost your mood, help you to feel happy and help you to feel more relaxed. By staying active, you can benefit from improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety and decreased depression.

Engage with people around you
The festive time provides us with a perfect opportunity to engage with, visit or talk to the people around us. Face-to-face interaction has been shown to improve our physical and mental well-being as it produces oxytocin which benefits our cognitive function, heart health and immune system. Why not arrange a shared experience as a gift for a loved one or friend such as a cooking lesson or a hiking expedition?

If you are alone during this time, volunteering for a local community organization or charity might be a viable option as it will provide the same human contact. It will possibly also make you feel good about yourself as you will be providing encouragement and essential support for those in need.

Keep in contact
If it is not possible to catch up with your loved ones face-to-face - drop them a note, give them a call or send them a letter. Christmas is an excellent time to reconnect if you're feeling out of touch with someone. If you are struggling with some work problems, intense feelings or family problems - being listened to will make you feel less alone. It might even encourage others to do the same if you open up.

Relax
Christmas can be a very stressful and busy time as we often try to fit in last minute shopping, prepare to entertain friends and family and worry about meal prep. Feelings of being under pressure can cause symptoms of anger, anxiety and even insomnia which could have a detrimental long-term impact on our wellbeing and mental health. A combination of breathing techniques, yoga and meditation can help you to gain more control and alleviate the symptoms of stress.

Help others
It is great for your own wellbeing and mental health when you help others. It can benefit your physical health, increase happiness and self-esteem, improve your mood and reduce stress. Christmas is an especially good opportunity to volunteer in order to encourage and provide essential support for those in need at your local charity or community organization.

Get enough sleep
Even though many of us have some time off between Christmas and New Year, all the catching up with family and friends might disturb our sleeping patterns. Sleep is of utmost importance for mental wellbeing as improvements in your sleep will most definitely result in improved overall mental health. There are quite a few things that you can try in order to achieve a better night's sleep such as adding exercise to your weekly routine, taking specific measures to relieve stress, and consuming less alcohol during festive gatherings.



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