The Holidays Are Here!

“Tis the season to be jolly!” Well maybe for some.

For others not so much. The holidays can be stressful, busy and sometimes even lonely for some of us. They may bring up strong emotions such as anxiety, anger or grief especially in those who suffer from chronic mental and physical health conditions. These individuals may not be able to celebrate the holidays due to their debilitating chronic conditions while others are reminded of loved ones they have lost. It’s okay if this isn’t the most “wonderful time of the year.”

In 2009, 145 million people (almost half the American population) were living with a chronic condition. And that was 10 years ago!

Having a physical ailment makes it more likely for an individual to suffer from a mental health ailment. Illness related anxiety and stress can trigger symptoms of depression. However, did you know that the reverse is also true? A person suffering from a mental health problem such as depression is at a higher risk of developing a physical illness such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s. Isn’t that scary? Research suggests that individuals who have a physical and mental illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses! I would know. 96% of chronic conditions are invisible! So please try to be kind to anyone and everyone. We don’t know what others are battling.

Eeyore, the donkey from the Winnie the Pooh cartoons is supposedly known to be afflicted with depression. But Winnie the Pooh and his friends always make the effort to include him in their social gatherings. That’s what friends do! A children’s cartoon with such a beautiful message. Check in on your loved ones, family members and friends whom you think may be finding it exceptionally difficult this festive season. Invite them over for a hot meal or take a home cooked meal or a potted plant to their house. By brightening their day, you brighten yours as well! Volunteer at a soup kitchen or donate to a charity of your choice! Here are a few simple gift ideas from lights to books to comfort those who may suffer from a chronic illness:

 https://themighty.com/2018/11/comfort-gifts-trauma-survivors-dissociation/

These are just a few ideas if you would like to go the extra mile. Kindness and love are what the holidays are really all about.

My family certainly brightened mine and I am ever so grateful for them.

However certain individuals and their idiosyncrasies tend to trigger me, and before I know it, I am in the throes of a panic attack. That’s why I avoid these people because I am scared I may lash out or feel threatened when I am around them. If you feel similarly this may sometimes be because of unresolved wounds or traumas that may have nothing to do with that individual. However, there are times we may act impulsively if we feel we have been mistreated and disrespected, in which case these very actions are a good indication that we need to create firmer and healthier boundaries in order to take care of ourselves.

This is more important over the holiday season since we may be interacting with certain people we may particularly not like. To help you create healthier boundaries check out this image:

Apart from this we can continue to practice the coping mechanisms I have shared with you so far. Check in with yourself throughout the holiday season. Make time for yourself. Practice mindfulness meditation, yoga, self-care which may just be listening to music, enjoying a hot cup of cocoa by the fireplace or cozying up with a book. Try this grounding technique shared by Mental Health America if you start to feel overwhelmed:

However, if you continue to feel distressed reach out for help. I did and still do! This doesn’t make you weak. It only makes you human. Try calling a warmline. Unlike a hotline for those in immediate crisis, warmlines provide early intervention with emotional support that prevent a crisis. The lines are usually free and confidential peer-support services, staffed by those who have experienced mental health issues themselves. Find a warmline in your area at warmline.org.

You can also reach out to me either through my Website’s contact page, on Instagram (my handle is parneetas_corner) or Twitter at ParneetaSingh.

Here’s wishing you and your loved ones “Happy Holidays!”

References:

1) Mental Health America

2) The Mighty (themighty.com)

3)@thepsychologymum (Instagram handle)

4)@sitwithwhit (Instagram handle)