Holiday Guide for Mental Health and Self Care

The holidays are upon us. With that being said, here’s you mental health and self care enthusiast guide for gift giving. These are the gifts that either provide self care or encourage it at the same time. In the way that we eat and take care of our bodies and more. Gift giving isn’t simply getting items. It’s about thinking outside of the box. These are the things that the person in your life may want and need.

Holidays and Mental Health

When you are already struggling with money and the holidays come along it messes with your mental health care. As many times we encourage others not to allow money to come between relationships sadly it does. People are either spending too much of it or in some folks’ eyes not enough. Take care of you this holiday. From the mental health breaks and more encourage others around you to do the same. Set a budget. If on January 1st your Christmas spending will have you blue-reconsider your spending habits.

Here are some blogs that I hope will aid you in the holiday season:

Making the Holidays What you Want

Mental Health through the Holidays

Christmas Debate: What’s Overspending for the Holidays?

Ways to Prepare for Holiday Anxiety

Staycation for the Holidays

I take a break as often as I can and the best time is before Christmas. I like to book around December 15th or earlier. The reason is simple.  I do all of the shopping and prepping. The shopping, blog, content, and campaigns make that the holiday season is more of a balancing act. Once I know that the things for my home is done, I reward myself with some rest. One overnight or weekend away is all you need. Changing up your environment even in your town is clutch. I do understand that many can’t afford to do this. So gift someone a gift of rest. My favorite holiday staycations will be at The Logan and Sonesta.

Thought Process Behind Gifts

For me a lot of my close friends who live in the city have already opted out of gift giving. We will instead get dressed up and do some fine dining. The gift of time is key for us. This allows us to take each other in, enjoy a great cocktail and really relax. We choose to do this to make sure that we are balanced. GIfting someone an experience is also a great idea. Gift giving doesn’t have to come in a box. Gift of experiences for families who appear to have it all is the way to go. If you don’t want to gift another item consider a personalized gift, a gift towards their business, or an experience.

Holidays and Being Solo

The holidays are all in what you make it. You don’t have to be heavy in gifts and buying. Take a step back if you need it. The holidays brings so much loneliness. There are people who are grieving and the hardest at this time. For those who are feeling the pinch of the holidays take your time surrounding it. I know people who go into recluse around this time. They will stay to themselves or check out. Check in and with all that you can. We tend to think that the strong folks are “just fine” when they aren’t. Be intentional with your time and headspace. I tend to make time on my schedule by blocking out time. Place days that are non negotiable. This has been how I have been moving the last few weeks. My energy levels has been elevated.

If you’re in need of support and have a few friends, make sure you start a texting group, reach out to one person, etc. per week. I have been increasingly asking while out at events to some of my blog friends, how I can support them during the holidays. Not just in their promotions but them as individuals. Things like checking in on Mondays. Sending an encouraging word to someone is helpful too. Little things add up to help make a big impact.

Gift Guide

Not that it will fix it all. Having a gift guide that helps you focus your spending power is key. I usually ask for blog equipment during the holidays. This cuts my costs down for the beginning of the year. If I know I will be attending a conference in the New Year, I may ask for gift cards to a particular booked hotel. New light? I ask for it at this time. New camera? All of these things I focus on. Here’s a gift guide for those who have people on their list who need a little self care push. There are usually things that people will have said or currently say they can’t afford. Gift it to them.

Enjoy your holidays and remember the reason for the season!