While the holidays are a time for joy, sharing, and spending time with loved ones, they can also bring an abundance of stress. The pressure to socialise, travel, and spend money on gifts increases anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm. It is not uncommon for this time of year to be taxing on mental health. That’s why it’s more important than ever to prioritise developing healthy coping mechanisms and getting the support you need to get through the season. If you’re struggling during the holidays, you’re not alone, and psychotherapy is here to help you navigate it with greater ease. Below are some ways psychotherapy can help you move through the holiday season with ease.

Managing Holiday Anxiety & Stress

It’s no surprise that the social, financial, and emotional pressures of the holiday season create increased stress and anxiety. The good thing is, with the right tools, you can manage your stress levels and create boundaries to protect your peace of mind. Working with a psychotherapist can help you develop techniques to ease your nervous system. Together, you can work on mindfulness techniques, boundaries, and small practices that help minimise holiday stress.

Navigating Family Dynamics

Family gatherings often cause old dynamics and wounds to rise to the surface, but they don’t have to be a source of mental suffering. Working with a psychotherapist in the lead-up to such reunions can help you prepare for difficult conversations, set health boundaries, and put practices in place to protect your emotional well-being. It’s important to have a plan ready in case you grow overwhelmed, such as going for a walk around the block, finding a quiet space to watch a movie, or practising deep breathing and mindfulness techniques to help you reset and release pent-up emotions.

Coping with Loneliness or Depression

During the holiday season, there is an increase in media centred around spending time with family and loved ones. It can be difficult for those without a family to go home to or loved ones to celebrate with. Therapy provides a space where you can work through these emotions without judgment. Together, you and your therapist can get to the root of your feelings around the season, develop healthy coping strategies you can put into practice when your feelings arise, and find small ways to lessen feelings of sadness and improve your mood around the holidays. Therapy can play a big role in helping you get through the season without suffering.

Processing Grief and Loss

The holidays can intensify feelings of grief and loss. For some, it might mark the first season without a loved one, which can amplify feelings of grief. It is important to recognise and honour these emotions. Psychotherapy can help you work through your emotions and find ways to create small pockets of joy throughout the season. Perhaps this might look like creating new traditions and developing tools to help you recognize and move through difficult emotions that might arise around holiday celebrations. It’s important to move through the holidays with gentleness, which can help ease the sense of loss and allow the holidays to take on new meaning.

Mental Health Services at LITE

Lite Toronto is open throughout the holiday season to support you wherever you’re at. Whether you’re seeking short-term support throughout the holidays or ongoing therapy into the new year, our therapists are here to support you. We offer:

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