MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS TIPS: HOW TO AVOID THE HOLIDAY BLUES

The MCA Department of Health’s Mental Health & Wellness (MHW) Sector is providing the community with tips to avoid the holiday blues. The holiday season is usually a joyful time. Many Akwesasne families look forward to gathering with relatives and friends, exchanging gifts, and celebrating traditions. However, for some, the holidays can be stressful.

The heightened anticipation and excitement of the upcoming holidays may turn into feelings of depression, commonly referred to the Holiday Blues.

The holiday blues can include headaches, insomnia, uneasiness, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and unnecessary conflict with family and friends. The demands of the season may also lead to symptoms of the Holiday Blues.

Below are some tips to help avoid the Holiday Blues:

❄️ Be reasonable and realistic with your schedule. The holidays don’t have to be perfect. Find creative ways to celebrate the holidays.
❄️ Decide upon your priorities and stick to them. Do not overbook yourself into a state of exhaustion. Organize your time wisely. 
❄️ Set aside grievances and differences. Try to accept family and friends for who they are, even if they don’t live up to your expectations.
❄️ Use technology to your advantage. FaceTime and Zoom with family and friends. Set a date and time to reconnect virtually with family and friends who live away.
❄️ Volunteer to serve at holiday community events. 
❄️ Give yourself a break. Create time for yourself to do the things YOU love and need to do for your own wellness. 
❄️ If you drink, don’t let the holidays become a reason for over-indulging and being hungover. This can exacerbate depression and anxiety.

For more information and resources, please contact the MCA Mental Health & Wellness Office at 613-575-2341 ext. 3115.