7 Tips for Coping with Christmas for Teenagers
Christmas is historically a time for feasting, drinking, spending time with family and friends, and generally getting into the holiday mood. However, the holiday season may be especially tough for people who are far away from their family. And this can lead to a suffering from a mental illness.
For all teenagers spending Christmas alone, away from their family, might be one of the causes for mental health issues throughout the holiday season. It’s critical to recognise that if you’re hurting around the holidays, you’re not alone.
More people than you would believe are affected by mental health difficulties around the holidays. According to a YouGov poll, one-quarter of individuals feel Christmas makes their mental health worse, while the Mental Health Foundation poll revealed that 54% of people are concerned about the mental health of someone they know over Christmas.
Loneliness is a typical emotion throughout the Christmas season that many students experience. Loneliness may be a symptom of a mental health condition, or it may worsen if you do not take actions to treat your loneliness. You may use some of these suggestions to help you manage your Christmas so that you can focus on having fun.
- Begin a daily gratitude journal
Every day, make a list of five items in your life for which you are thankful or joyful. Focusing on the positives can assist to improve your spirits and start you on the path to a more optimistic long-term outlook.
- Have reasonable expectations for family gatherings
If you’re spending Christmas with your family, the idea that the holiday season is a “time for family” can put further strain on already stressed relationships, especially among individuals who don’t see one other very frequently and aren’t used to spending so much time together. Being realistic about what you may anticipate from this time can help you prevent disappointment and maximise your enjoyment. It could also help to prevent a couple of those usual Christmas dinner table rows!
- More people should volunteer for social occasions
Despite popular belief, there is much to do in your town over the holidays that do not require you to be a member of a large family. Volunteering in the community, such as at a homeless shelter or nursing home, is one of the finest ways to meet new people and increase your confidence.
- Take a breather
Allow yourself to take a break if your stress levels are rising. You might want to go for a stroll, grab a cup of coffee, chill with your friends or listen to music to help you relax or unwind. Of course, we recognise that this might be difficult if you have a lot of duties, so schedule your breaks ahead of time.
- Spend time with your friends
Making plans might be the most difficult thing to do when you’re feeling lonely. However, as social beings, our self-esteem is boosted when we engage with one another. Spend some time with a friend or your roommate, they may be feeling the same loneliness as you are, and you both can help each other by being there.
- Do all things in moderation
It’s easy to overindulge over Christmas, especially because we’ll be spending most of our time at home. However, excessive consumption can result in severe side effects such as guilt, feeling physically bloated and sick, heightened negative emotions from alcohol, which is a depressive, or interaction with prescription medicine.
Avoid overindulgence, which generally tends to happen when you’re away from home, spending Christmas with your friends. Don’t be afraid to gently reject if you’re being offered and make sure your friends also don’t overindulge as well.
Learning to manage loneliness during such a festive season can be difficult at times. If things don’t work well for you, and it affects your mental healthy seek help from a mental health professional. At The Holistic Living, you can find the greatest and most helpful professionals. Staying away from your family can be hard but try to look after yourself and enjoy your Christmas, your way.
