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Minding Your Mental Health This Holiday Season

For many, the holidays can bring about feelings of depression, anxiety, envy, and even dread and despair, rather than joy and merriment. These holiday blues can stem from a variety of factors such as preexisting mental health issues, seasonal affective disorder, a recent loss, the anniversary of the loss of a loved one, jam-packed social commitments, emotional and financial pressures from family and friends, and family strife.

A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that over 38 percent of those surveyed felt increased levels of stress, depression, and anxiety and reported more substance abuse during the holiday season. Another study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that people living with mental health disorders felt that their symptoms and conditions worsened around the holidays.

Social media can also be a major contributor to holiday-related stress. For those already feeling more isolated, lonely, or sad during the holiday season, social media interactions may intensify these negative feelings. Time spent scrolling through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok viewing posts, pictures, and videos of virtual friends or social influencers showcasing their holiday festivities can stir up feelings of envy, shame, loss, and upward comparisons. Upward comparisons are made when we compare ourselves to people we believe are better or superior to us. Not surprisingly, upward comparisons tend to erode self-esteem and emotional well-being.

The good news is there are ways in which you can plan for and protect your mental health during the holiday season. Below are some suggestions:

1. Identify your holiday triggers. Triggers are people, places, and things that remind us of a past trauma or upsetting event. Some examples of holiday triggers might be stressful or traumatic memories, stressful family relationships, or the anniversary of the loss of a loved one. Knowing your own unique holiday triggers helps to curb emotional reactivity and for putting plans in place to reduce holiday-related stress. An example of a plan could be engaging in self-soothing practices like taking warm baths, going for walks, or watching silly TV shows.
2. Give yourself permission to feel your emotions. In a gentle and loving inner voice, tell yourself it’s really OK if you’re not feeling particularly “merry or joyous” this holiday season. Giving yourself permission to feel your emotions—including envy, resentment, or loss—can go a long way in helping to reduce holiday-related stress and depression. In general, this might seem counterintuitive, but denying negative feelings or berating ourselves for feeling bad tends to result in us feeling worse, not better.
3. Limit or take a break from social media. This is easier said than done for most, but mindfully limiting or taking breaks from social media can save you from engaging in the self-sabotaging cycle of “compare and despair.” For some, placing firm limits and boundaries around social media use can be imperative for protecting your mental health during the holiday season.

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9 Tips to Fend Off Holiday Stress

The holidays are a time for family and cheer, but making sure the house is clean, the food is ready, and the presents are wrapped and ready to be opened can be overwhelming. These factors can bring unwanted stress and depression in a time meant for happiness.

Some important, practical tips can help minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. These tips may even help you enjoy the holidays more than expected.

Through the endless parties, cooking, shopping and cleaning, try taking one of 9 steps to ensure you have a stress-free holiday:

1. Plan ahead.

Between co-workers, friends and family, it’s inevitable that some commitments will end up on the same day. Make sure to plan on what you can attend in person or virtually. If you’re hosting the holidays, create a menu to help you stay organized and make grocery shopping easier.

2. Say no.

With holiday commitments, it is OK to say no to a few or all of them. It also will help relieve some stress. Try sharing your to-do list with other family members.

3. Plan spending.

The holidays mean spending money. Make a budget and stick to it. Spending money on your loved ones is important, but it’s also important to pay your energy bill. Don’t buy gifts that you’ll be paying off for the rest of the year.

4. Create relaxing surroundings.

Turn on some music, light some candles or open the windows on a sunny day. Research has found that listening to music and the scent of citrus can boost feelings of well-being, and vitamin D is always a happiness booster.

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Event: 

5K Walk / 5K Run / 10K Run

Time: 
7:30 AM Registration Begins
8:15 AM Kids Race Begins
8:30 AM 5K/10K Race Begins & 5K Walk Begins

Race Packet pickup:
Early packet pickup will be at Hooper Stadium on Wednesday, November 22th, 2023 1:00-3:00 PM.
You can pick up your shirts and race bibs to avoid lines on Thanksgiving.

Location: 
Hooper Stadium, Nevada Union High School
11761 Ridge Road, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Course: 
Combination of trail and street terrain.  No pets allowed on course.  Strollers allowed on walk course.
The 5K/10K Run/Walk will circle around the school grounds & throughout Litton Hill Trail.

Entry Fee:
Before November 14th, 2023
$25 for Persons 15+, $12 for Children 14 & Under (includes tee-shirt)

After November 14th, 2023
$25 for Persons 15+, $12 for Children 14 & Under (*tee-shirt not included)

Awards for 1st – 3rd place in Age Groups

The Cause:
The MEB2 Foundation sponsoring Anew Day, local youth activities &
suicide and depression awareness.

Contact Information: 
Call: (530) 278-8361
email: events@meb2turkeytrot.com

November is National Family Caregiver Month.

Santa Claus is making his way to SNCS again this year! We have the pleasure of welcoming Santa (at our Grass Valley location) for a special event where families can have their photos taken with him. Santa is traveling all the way from his home in the North Pole to be with us on Tuesday, December 12th from 12:30-4:30p.

Take this opportunity to write a letter to Santa and share your holiday wishes with him! To make the occasion even more delightful, we will be providing light refreshments that will keep you warm and cozy. Additionally, there will be a fun holiday activity in the play space for the kids to enjoy and take home as a memento. Get ready for a festive and memorable day with Santa!