Coping with anger can be stressful and upsetting. However, there are several coping strategies
Looking out for Signs of Holiday Depression & Anxiety
While the holidays can be stressful for everyone, those dealing with depression and anxiety can struggle that much more. About 1 in 5 adults will suffer from mental illness each year and the holidays can create more stress, that triggers or exacerbates those mental health conditions. One of the best ways to alleviate stress is to engage in effective self-care such as eating balanced meals, getting enough sleep, and making sure you have enough downtime.
Finding Holiday Cheer in the Midst of Holiday Stress
As the weather is getting colder and the holidays are approaching, more to-dos, deadlines, and social pressures may arise. However, there are many ways to take care of your emotional wellbeing during the holiday season. Did you know, the winter sun in Norway doesn’t rise above the horizon, the days are short and dimly lit. So the Norwegians take the opportunity to create koselig, or a cozy way of living. This tradition means getting under a blanket with a cup of tea and enjoying your time with family and friends peacefully. And koselig must be working as Norwegians have astonishingly low rates of seasonal affective disorder and depression rates during the winter.
5 Activities to Try When The Holidays Don't Feel Bright
The holidays hold a lot of pressure for many. Even if you are looking forward to the lights, food, and festivities during the holiday season, there may also be a lot of stress. Pressure to impress loved ones with the most picture-perfect meal or the greatest gift can lead to stress. Wanting to buy the best gift can lead to strains on a tight budget, and this year, the delays in packages can lead to stress and anxiety that your gifts won’t arrive on time. For many this year, feelings of sadness may also arise from being unable to be close to family during this time. Below are a few things you can do if you find yourself stressed or depressed during this holiday season.
Being Grateful While Experiencing Other Feelings: It's Okay to Feel
Research reports that when you practice gratitude you can in fact reduce depression and anxiety by keeping positive thoughts in mind. We all can remember being told to be grateful from early on in our childhood whether it was for receiving a gift or praise of some kind. Unfortunately, these types of statements, though well-intended, often limit emotional space. We start to believe it is not okay to feel angry, sad, or disappointed when there is so much we should be grateful for. We all have developed internal beliefs, over time, that can become harmful if we do not tackle them. So how do you reframe your thoughts about gratitude, you need to identify how they developed in the first place.
