Get Holiday Happy or Get Help

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

December 16, 2022 – The holidays can be an incredible time, full of reunions, presents, and gratitude but for those of us who are struggling with mental health, estranged from families, have lost family members or are simply unable to make it home the holidays can be a lonely time with the nights getting longer and colder even here in the Caribbean.  Thankfully there are many ways to combat this feeling.

•  Accept that you are lonely.  Don’t gaslight yourself into thinking you aren’t allowed to feel sad.  Loneliness is just a feeling and nearly everyone experiences it at some time or another, accepting it allows you to deal with it.
• Make a concrete plan of what you are going to do for the holiday, whether that means spending it with friends, going out to a restaurant, partaking in a solo activity or making a nice meal at home.  Having a sense of purpose makes it harder to be consumed by your feelings.
• Look for volunteer opportunities.  Bringing joy to others can elevate your entire holiday mood bringing you joy as well.
• Unplug and disconnect. Take a social media break, instead of immersing yourself with a secondhand view of someone else’s life, allow yourself to really engage with your surroundings; spend time in nature, with your pets or plants.
• Be kind to yourself, make yourself a meal, get yourself a present, clean up your space
• Be grateful for the little things that bring you joy
• Make an appointment with your therapist or seek one out if you don’t have one.  There is no shame in seeking professional help

Finding ways to keep yourself busy and allowing yourself to access emotional support are key ways to get through the season intact.