5 Self-Care Tips for Better Mental Health

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The holidays are here! If that statement fills you with a sense of excitement tinged with unexamined dread, you’re not alone. “Holidays, like birthdays, bring up many emotions, including sadness and grief,” says mental health coach and counselor Julie Geeting of PALM Health. “A practice of meaningful self-care can help, including recognizing your individual needs and setting good boundaries.”

If you don’t have a consistent self-care practice in place, the holiday season can be the perfect time to start. After all, stress is a part of life—learning to manage it throughout periods where it’s a bit more prevalent than others can help you come up with a practice that works year-round.

“I often think of the quote from the Roman philosopher, Cicero: ‘If we use nature as our guide, we will never lose our way,'” says Geeting. “Just as we experience seasons each year, our life has seasons. Remembering that intense stress will often come and go like the seasons, can offer some hope.”

Here, five sustainable self-care tips that will serve you through the holidays and beyond.

5 Self-Care Tips to Help You Through the Holiday Season

1. Take Deep Breaths

The quickest and most accessible way to regulate your nervous system is with a deep, intentional breath (or perhaps a few). If you have a chance to really dive in, download an app and indulge in a breathwork session to ease stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and generally help you survive—and be a more mindful participant in the season’s festivities.

2. Talk It Out

Though you may consider the season’s increase in conversation—with family, friends, and more—to be a contributor to your unease, when it comes to your feelings, the opposite can be true.

“Acknowledging and naming these emotions can bring some relief,” says Geeting, who recommends naming your feelings to a trusted friend or professionals they arise to help address anxiety. “Understanding what may be the underlying cause of the anxiety will be key to addressing it well long term.”

3. Get Outside

You and all of your feelings are natural—and if you need a reminder of this, time outside can help.

“Using nature for self-care can be very powerful,” says Geeting. “Being in nature calms our nervous system, increases feelings of connection to the world around us, and reduces feelings of anxiety and stress.”

If you need an excuse for your outdoor escape, just take the dog.

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