The holiday season can be a joyful time, but for many, it can also be a time of added stress, and the holidays can take a toll on our mental health. For some it can be a time of loneliness, increased economic strain, a reminder of grief or loss or challenges navigating personal relationships. It is important to remember that there are ways that we can protect our well-being. Dr. Jennifer Yee explains:

Maintain Healthy Routines – although it can be a busy time of year, try to keep up with your sleep, eating and physical activity. But don’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t follow your routine perfectly.

Be Kind to Yourself – It’s okay not to do everything perfectly and to keep your goals realistic (or not have any goals at all). Remind yourself that you are allowed to delegate tasks to others and to ask for help. Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Celebrate with homemade gifts, potlucks, shared experiences, and low-cost activities.

Check in with Your Feelings – it is normal to feel more emotional and overwhelmed this time of year. Allowing yourself to acknowledge those feelings can be helpful, even if it’s just for a few moments – that might mean talking to someone else or finding quiet time alone to reflect or journal. Studies show that acknowledging and identifying our feelings, even if we don’t yet know how to fully process them, lowers stress levels.

Check in with Others – feelings of connection and belonging are strongly tied to our mental health. Whether your community is one person or dozens of people, plan some time to spend together. Set boundaries and minimize contact with people you find are not helpful for your well-being. Volunteering and helping others can also be a great way to feel connected to others and to your community.

Seek extra support – whether you are excited about the holiday season or feeling apprehensive, the holidays can be a time for self-reflection and bring sharper focus to areas we might need more support. If you’re feeling stressed, mentally or physically depleted, or your system feels out of balance, it might be a good time to check in with a health care provider for some extra insight.