Despite the bright lights and lively music ushering in the coming holidays, this time of the year can bring about feelings of grief, sadness and isolation for students.
Whether you miss your faraway family or feel lonely, these emotions can be overwhelming if left unaddressed. Discover more about holiday blues, some common symptoms and tips to make the most of the festive season.
What Are Holiday Blues?
Have you ever felt lonely, extremely tired or hopeless during the holiday? You might be experiencing holiday blues. It’s a relatively common occurrence, especially among students who have to deal with high emotions and demands.
What Are the Common Symptoms?
The most prevalent sign is a recurring feeling of sadness, which may vary in duration and intensity. Other symptoms include:
- Loss of interest in studies
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Tips to Prioritize Your Mental Health This Holidays
Acknowledging the presence of your feelings is the first step towards better mental health. It may feel impossible to get rid of the sadness, but some ways can help you express it and embrace days more positively.
Stay Active
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to eliminate holiday blues. It can also help increase positive feelings. You don’t have to go to the gym to sweat it out — simply do simple stretches in your room, take your dog out for a walk and jump rope in the backyard.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude helps you appreciate the small things in life, which can contribute to feelings of happiness. Exchange gifts with your loved ones, send cards to long-distance friends or make a list of the things you’re grateful for. By reflecting on the good aspects of your life, you fill your mind and heart with positivity.
When you feel nervous before a family gathering, you can listen to guided meditation to release your anxiety. Your relatives may even want to participate in this activity when they visit.
Connect With Loved Ones
The holiday season can be painful for students studying abroad or far from home, which may trigger feelings of homesickness and isolation. During this time, you should reach out to your nearby friends. You can also talk to your campus mentor, who can provide psychosocial support and advice on personal matters.
Connecting with your distant family through video calls or delivering thoughtful gifts can make the distance feel smaller.
Go Outside
Winter means less sunshine, which may heighten feelings of loneliness and sadness. However, it doesn’t mean you must skip doing great outdoor activities.
Going outside helps you reconnect with what matters most — yourself and the world. Go to the park and picnic with friends, or enjoy camping alone. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate vacation — a weekend trip or an afternoon walk in a botanical garden can do wonders.
Learn How To Say “No”
The hectic nature of the holiday season can create stress and financial burdens. Unfortunately, saying “no” to attending extravagant celebrations and buying gifts can be challenging.
Sometimes, people say “yes” because they don’t want to disappoint people. The truth is, there are ways you can decline without feeling guilty. For instance, if you want to skip attending a meet-up, let the people know how appreciative you are for the invite and politely decline. You can also suggest an alternative time to meet.
Prioritize Yourself
The holiday season is a time for love, so don’t forget to give it to yourself in the form of taking care of your mental health. With these tips in mind, you can give yourself the gift of self-love.
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
I always take care of your mental health.
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