Handling Hellacious Holidays
Holiday stress resulting in having zero fucks left to give? Create a mental health safety plan to preserve some of those fucks. Check out these 5 steps!
1.) Recognize signs that your mental health is sinking and your give a fuck bank is about to be empty. Maybe your thoughts are spiraling, you’re worrying more, or you’re feeling sad, worthless or irritable. Maybe your palms are sweating or your heart is racing - and it’s not just because of the pound of butter in aunt Becky’s sweet potato casserole.
2.) Identify coping strategies for the hellacious holiday stress. This is not only taking bubble baths and eating chocolate. Maybe this is part of coping, but ask yourself what you need right now. Sleep, food, and water are often overlooked when we’re busy. Neglecting basic needs increases your stress and decreases your ability to cope. Now, take a deep breath or 6. Stretch. Go outside. Drink water or tea. Talk to yourself nicely. Call a friend and talk to them nicely. Snuggle a pet.
3.) Pinpoint people and social environments that bring you comfort and provide distraction. When your own coping strategies aren’t enough and journaling isn’t providing h that last fuck to give, text your bestie, hear how much they love you, and then meet them at your local Barnes & Noble. Make a list of where you like to go that can immediately remove you from stressful situations - even if it’s just out to your car.
4.) Make a list of people that you can connect with. Sometimes a bestie isn’t around. Who else can you connect with for help? Chosen family, friend, partner, roommate, coworker, family (that you like). It may be hard to remember in the moment, but there are people who will have a fuck to give to you.
5.) Make a list of professional resources to whom you can reach out.
Start with these:
Call or text 988 or 988lifeline.org
Happy Holidays - Lavender Root
