Supporting your Mental Health During the Holidays

Strategies for supporting your mental health:

1. Pay attention to your feelings
   Remember that it is okay to feel unhappy during the holidays. Recognizing your feelings is the first step to addressing and nurturing them.
2. Make time to connect.
   Connection and meaning are critical to our mental health. Make time for your important relationships and connect with yourself through self-care. his may include reading a good book, working out, spending time in nature, and practicing stress management skills, such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. It is also important to remember to prioritize necessities, including eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep, and finding time for exercise.You can even connect with loved ones who are no longer with you through a family tradition or a personal remembrance ritual.  
3. Maintain Healthy HabitsContinue your routines, go to therapy, get enough sleep, and exercise to keep your mental health on track. During this time of year feelings of grief and loss can amplify. Check in on loved ones. Help a friend or neighbor. It not only gives joy to others, but it can improve your own happiness and well-being.
4. Recognize seasonal mood changes
   Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition in which people experience symptoms of depression that are triggered by the change in seasons as the days get shorter. While this form of depression often improves in the spring and summer, it is important to talk with your health care provider if you feel you are experiencing these symptoms. Treatment is effective and may include light therapy, antidepressant medication, and/or talk therapy.
5. Know when to seek help
   If you feel that your mental health struggles are becoming overwhelming and difficult to handle, it is important to seek help and know that treatment is available. Below are free and confidential resources that can connect you with effective treatment and support.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Alliance on Mental Illness

www.namiaugusta.org

NAMI Georgia Community Resources

Crisis Text Hotline

Anxiety

Suicide Awareness

What is Mental Health

Dyslexia 

Eating Disorders

Student Power Awards 

COVID-19 & Mental Health