SilverCloud’s advice piece “5 Tips for managing mental health during the holiday season”

2. Mindfulness and managing stress

It can be a hectic time of year for many. With endless socialising and less time for sleep and rest, mindfulness is a powerful tool that works to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Engaging in mindfulness can help to cultivate a sense of calm and presence, especially during a busy holiday period. Meditative sessions, yoga and moments of quiet stillness or calm can provide you with greater awareness of your mind, and help to alleviate anxieties, allowing you to navigate your thoughts and feelings with greater ease and enjoyment.

3. Alcohol management

From work functions to hanging out with friends and family, this period offers many social events which may include alcohol. These events can put considerable strain on your physical and mental wellbeing and can result in low mood and feelings of anxiety. Consider actively managing your alcohol consumption during this period.

Applying CBT techniques such as journaling can help you understand your drinking behaviours and habits and can be a great tool for managing your relationship with alcohol. By having a broader awareness of how your alcohol intake may affect you, you, in turn practise building boundaries and supporting better mental clarity and emotional balance throughout the holiday season.

4. Movement to feel better

Amongst the excitement, regular physical activity can often fall down the priority list, leaving you feeling restless and less able to process intense feelings. Sometimes spending concentrated time with family and friends can become overwhelming, and it’s perfectly okay to take some space for yourself during this time. Exercise increases levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, so you can help to foster a positive headspace with a physical activity like some yoga or a nature walk.

Carving out time for regular physical activity not only boosts your mood but also provides you with a valuable opportunity to step away from the chaos, clear your mind, and reconnect with yourself, making it an essential tool for managing your emotional well-being during this busy season.

5. Sleep and reset

Keeping things in perspective is much harder when you’re tired and feeling run down. Sleep plays a vital role when it comes to both our mental health and general physical wellbeing, and the festive season is no exception. With all the added socialising, making sure you have a good night’s sleep is even more important to give your body and brain time to rest and recuperate.

If your thoughts and feelings are keeping you up at night, try carving out time for a gentle wind down before bed; whether that’s reading a book, journaling or taking a bath. Building a regular sleeping routine can be extremely beneficial when it comes to improving the overall quality of your sleep, as well as working to help you manage the worries that can keep you up at night.

What is CBT?

CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a powerful tool that provides you with practical skills and techniques to better manage your thoughts and emotions. SilverCloud by Amwell is a clinically proven mental health and wellbeing platform, providing iCBT for a wide range of mild to moderate mental health symptoms. SilverCloud is available for free via referral from GPs, primary care psychologists, and counsellors, providing individuals with tools to manage their mental health, which they can refer back to as and when they need it.

See more stories here.