The holiday season is one of the busiest and most popular times of the year. We pack our schedules from Thanksgiving through New Year’s with decorating, shopping, cooking, parties, travel, and family and friends. While this time of year is enjoyable for many, the busyness and stress associated with the holidays can take a toll on anyone’s mental health. Millions of Americans experience the holiday blues: increased depression, anxiety, and stress between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
If you find yourself overwhelmed and in need of support through the holiday season, mental health treatment in Florida can help. Harmony Hills is a mental health treatment center where you can learn to manage your mental health and the holidays in a peaceful environment, away from the stresses of everyday life. Call 855.494.0357 to learn more about our treatment options.
Holiday Season and Mental Health
While the holiday season is a time of happiness and celebration, it is also a time of high expectations, contributing to increased stress and anxiety. For some people, spending time with family is a source of tension and stress. For others, not having people to spend time with is a source of loneliness and isolation. In most cases, the holiday blues are temporary. However, the holiday blues can exacerbate preexisting depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.
There are ways that you can manage your mental health this holiday season. Consider these tips:
- Do not rely on drugs and alcohol – It can be tempting to turn to drugs or alcohol to alleviate your feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression, but they only provide false temporary relief.
- Set realistic expectations – We often glorify the good old days, but life changes. Focus on what you can realistically do this year without overextending yourself.
- Plan ahead – Space out your responsibilities to avoid rushing to get everything done at the last minute.
- Acknowledge your feelings – The holidays can be emotional for many reasons. Identify and validate your feelings instead of bottling them up.
- Practice self-care – Do not abandon healthy habits like exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep, and practicing mindfulness techniques.
- Say no – Do not feel pressured into saying yes to every invite or event. Overscheduling will increase stress and anxiety. Take time to decompress.
Above all else, reach out for help and support when you need it. If you feel lonely, depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, reach out to family and friends.
Is Mental Health Treatment Right for You?
How the holidays impact mental health varies from person to person. But, for many, the holidays and mental health go together like oil and water. If the holiday season significantly impacts your mental health, consider reaching out to a depression treatment program in Florida. In addition to being challenging for individuals already suffering from depression or other mental health conditions, the holiday season is a time that challenges people’s addiction recovery.
At Harmony Hills, we recognize that seeking treatment for depression or maintaining your recovery during the holiday season may seem inconvenient, but we believe the alternative is worse. We offer a variety of mental health therapies for depression and other mental health conditions, such as:
- Trauma therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
- 12-step therapy
- Relapse prevention therapy
On our beautiful 80-acre rural campus, you can take advantage of amenities such as a full gym, hiking trails, and many other amentities while you receive the care and support you need without the distractions of the outside world.
Contact Harmony Hills for Mental Health Treatment this Holiday Season
The holiday season and mental health aren’t always the best mix. The holiday season can significantly impact your mental health, especially if you have preexisting mental health conditions. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us at 855.494.0357. The staff at Harmony Hills is available around the clock every day.
