How do you take care of your emotional well-being during the month of December?

The December holidays are, or should be, a time of celebration, joy, and reunion with family and friends.

However, this is not always the case.

Due to social pressures, or for various reasons, it can also be a source of stress, anxiety and sadness for many people who feel lonely, stressed or disappointed.

We know that many people are feeling stressed about the December holidays. In the face of these celebrations, they feel stressed, exhausted and exhausted to the extreme. This is because they have to deal with shopping, preparations, family gatherings, and social expectations at the same time.

To these pressures we must add the feelings that these dates awaken. Nostalgia for holidays past, the memory of family and friends who are no longer here, the sadness of those who feel lonely.

Likewise, economic and financial pressures are evident. Holidays also involve spending money that many families have difficulty spending.

All of these issues usually create a combination that can destroy people’s emotional health, ruin vacations, and worse, generate family and emotional conflicts.

Therefore, it is important to take care of emotional well-being during these dates and, in this way, prevent it from becoming a cause of suffering.

How do I do it? Is it possible to overcome all the difficulties that this month presents to us?

The good news is that emotional health can be improved through healthy habits.

What is emotional well-being

Emotional well-being is having a positive state of mind that includes feeling satisfied with life, self-esteem, the ability to face challenges and enjoy relationships with others.

Of course, this does not mean being happy all the time, but rather it means having a balance between positive and negative emotions, and knowing how to regulate them.

It is basically the ability to experience emotions and manage them in a healthy way. First, it involves recognizing and understanding one’s own feelings and the feelings of others. And then, being able to deal with it constructively.

During December, the month of celebrations, emotions run high. Therefore, it is advisable, more than ever, to apply some simple tools that will help maintain our emotional health.

Some recommendations for taking care of your emotional health during the month of December

• It is advisable to plan in advance the activities, purchases and commitments you want to make, without overdoing it or getting overwhelmed. Try not to leave everything for the last week.
• You can also create a budget for purchases and gifts, and look for cheaper offers or alternatives.
• Prioritize what you really enjoy and what you can do without being overwhelmed by it
• Don’t try to meet all social or personal expectations. Find a possible action and respect it.
• Maintain a positive attitude and be grateful for what you have.
• Try not to focus on what cannot be achieved in the year that ends.
• Recognize the achievements, learnings and opportunities provided during the year, as well as the people who supported and loved us.
• Try to communicate openly and express feelings, needs, and desires in an honest and respectful way.
• Use your free time to do activities that you love and relax you.
• Respect your boundaries and the boundaries of others.
• Don’t force situations or relationships out of commitment that make you uncomfortable or hurt you.
• Know how to say no when necessary, without feeling guilty or ashamed. You cannot please everyone or do everything that is expected.
• You should also avoid perfectionism and accept that things can go wrong or not go as planned.
• Accept others as they are, without judging or criticizing them.
• Take care of physical and mental health.
• Try to avoid overeating and alcohol which can affect your mood and self-esteem.
• Get enough sleep.
• Try moderate exercise. It is essential to maintain a healthy routine that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate hydration, and adequate rest.

The important thing

Enjoy the simple things. Remember, the December holidays are an opportunity to celebrate life, love, and friendship. We must not lose sight of the true meaning of these histories or get carried away by consumerism or social pressures. It can be used to spend quality time with your loved ones, express gratitude, do things that bring joy, and create happy memories.