Do you struggle with feeling overstimulated around the holidays? Do you need space and alone time when you’re around lots of people?
Mental health is so important, especially around the holidays and times of life that sometimes bring back hard memories, have you surrounded by lots of people, or create uncomfortable situations. It is important, in these times of life, to take really good care of yourself. Sometimes when you are in uncomfortable situations with family it is easy to revert to that “child” part of you and forget to listen to your emotions and feelings. Maybe it’s because you weren’t allowed to have emotions and feelings growing up, or maybe it’s because you forget to make time and space for yourself when you’re around a lot of people.
My first encouragement to you, is to listen to what you need.
Listen to your emotions, listen to your body, and don’t stuff it all down inside. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, set some boundaries or walk away. If you’re feeling angry, find release in a healthy way. If you’re feeling anxious, create some space for yourself. Don’t push it all down inside and neglect to take care of yourself. You are still important – even when there are other people around you and you are out of your normal routine.
It is also very easy to become overstimulated when you’re in different environments and around a lot of noise and people. I struggle with this a lot as I am a highly sensitive person. First off, you’re not alone if you struggle with these things. They are normal and very common. However, you are worth taking care of and there are things that you can do to help yourself in these situations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, don’t be afraid to make some space for yourself. It can be hard to create that when there are a lot of people around, but there are simple things that you can do. Locking yourself in the bathroom for a few extra minutes can be helpful. Going on a walk and getting outside and away from the noise can provide a moment of refreshment. Taking a couple of hours in a different home or hotel, if you have the space, to breathe, rest, or scream into a pillow. If there are a lot of kids and high emotions, crying along with them can be a good release. Getting out to a store to do some shopping or just walk around can be a good change of scenery.
Above all, remember to create space for yourself if you need it!
Lastly, food can be a good way of helping you to feel your best – physically, but also mentally. Food can impact your brain health, AND how you feel physically also impacts how you feel mentally. Focus on drinking lots of water and eating vegetables and foods that your body feels good on. Enjoy your favorite foods and treats, but don’t overconsume sugar and alcohol. Making these small little changes will help you feel better in a lot of ways. Remember, you’re not alone. Holidays can be hard for a lot of people. You are allowed to create space for yourself. And you deserve to feel your best mentally throughout the whole year. Take care of yourselves!
Abby Horst
A podcaster, wife, health/wellness coach, beach lover, and musician. She specialises in nutrition education, meal planning, and developing sustainable habits. She passionately works with her patients to help them build healthier and happier relationships with food, exercise, and themselves.
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