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Wishes for a calm Christmas

December 21, 2018  |  Addiction, Anxiety, Coping, Depression, holidays, Mental health, Mental illness, Mindfulness, Recovery
calm christmas

It's hard to believe, but here we are - Christmas is approaching, as is the New Year. Lots of parties and family get togethers are on the schedule between now and January 1, and many people will be eager to get to those fun times. After all, it's great to get together with friends and family and catch up.

But if you deal with any kind of anxiety about groups, or your're feeling down because someone you love is not here this year, it's an especially hard time. It's you we are talking with right now, and we want to tell you one thing - take care of yourself.

If you're feeling like you don't want to spend a lot of time with other people. it's OK. You don't have to do that. And if you're hosting people who may be in a funk of depression, or in recovery from an addiction or mental health issue, be ready to allow someone feeling down to take a break from your party. Don't expect them to stay longer than they want or need to, and allow them the freedom to leave - but do check on them.

Take stock of how you feel and act accordingly. If you want to stay in and binge watch movies or catch up on TV shows, that's fine.

The point is, take time for YOU this holiday season. Make sure you're not pushing yourself beyond your capabilities, and spend as much or as little time as you want with friends and loved ones. Let's go into a new year with clear expectations and a strong feeling of hope. 

We wish you the merriest - and calmest - Christmas ever, and a wonderful start to 2019.