| Any time of the year that a holiday comes up is often | | | | Next, make sure that you stay rested for the time |
| a time of high stress for just about anyone, but those | | | | before the holiday and even during the holiday season. |
| that suffer from a mental health illness tend to feel the | | | | It's easier to let stress affect you when you're tired, |
| effects a lot longer. Feelings of despair, helplessness, | | | | and even easier to let any negative feedback from |
| and being overwhelmed are often common. There's a | | | | others affect how you see yourself. Stop the spiral |
| certain desire to be perfect and to have everything | | | | before it happens by making sure that no matter what |
| together during this time of year that is almost a | | | | else happens that you get plenty of rest and drink |
| certain recipe for disaster. The idea of a perfect | | | | plenty of fluids. Not drinking enough fluids can make it |
| holiday is one that will do nothing but cause stress. | | | | hard to concentrate and lead to more irritation and |
| However, if we strive instead for a holiday that flows | | | | stress - the very things you're trying to avoid! |
| as smoothly as possible while allowing us to remain | | | | Finally, make sure to take time to focus on your own |
| comfortable and happy, stress has less of a chance | | | | needs during the holidays. Feelings of frustration, |
| of taking hold. This article strives to teach that a less | | | | helplessness and worry can be overwhelming and all |
| stressful holiday really can be had by mental health | | | | the techniques that you would normally use to make it |
| sufferers, if a few key tips are followed. | | | | through the year still apply on holidays. There's no |
| First, as stated previously, the idea of a perfect holiday | | | | shame in taking care of yourself; if you don't take care |
| has to be let go of. Often we work very hard to put | | | | of yourself, how can you take care of your loved |
| on elaborate displays for friends and family that are | | | | ones properly? |
| really unnecessary. If you can simplify and do only the | | | | There's no reason in the world why the next holiday |
| steps that will lead to direct joy for your and your | | | | season shouldn't be spent enjoying the best that |
| loved ones, the easier things will flow after that. One | | | | friends and family have to offer as well as the |
| step that many people take during the holidays to | | | | reasons for the holiday in the first place. You can |
| lessen the burden they feel is to include the rest of the | | | | enjoy friends and family without incurring the stress |
| family in the preparation process. Instead of having to | | | | and frustration - with these points in mind you should |
| cook for dozens of people, try incorporating a potluck | | | | have no problem at all! |
| style dinner for your next holiday event. This means | | | | Holiday stress got you down? Join our mental health |
| that everyone in the family brings an actual dish that | | | | support community and keep in touch with other |
| everyone can sample and enjoy. This translates into | | | | people going through the same mental health issues as |
| less cooking time for you and a lot more free time to | | | | you are - don't go it alone when there's a supportive |
| actually enjoy anticipating guests. | | | | community just waiting to talk to you! |