N@N

The top 7 mental health challenges of the holidays and how to navigate them

The article from KVIA discusses the top seven mental health challenges people face during the holiday season and offers strategies to navigate them. These challenges include financial stress due to holiday spending, loneliness and isolation, unrealistic expectations, grief and loss, family conflicts, overindulgence in food and alcohol, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). To manage financial stress, the article suggests setting a budget and focusing on meaningful, not material, gifts. For loneliness, it recommends reaching out to others or engaging in community activities. To combat unrealistic expectations, one should focus on personal values rather than societal pressures. Grief can be addressed by honoring lost loved ones in personal ways. Family conflicts might be mitigated by setting boundaries or seeking neutral ground for gatherings. Overindulgence can be managed by mindful eating and drinking, and for SAD, light therapy and maintaining a routine are advised. Overall, the article emphasizes self-care, realistic goal-setting, and seeking support as key strategies to handle holiday stress.

Read the Full KVIA Article at:
[ https://kvia.com/news/business-technology/stacker-science/2024/12/17/the-top-7-mental-health-challenges-of-the-holidays-and-how-to-navigate-them/ ]