citizensmemorial.com 7 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Do your best to eat well, rest and exercise. 6 1 SHARE YOUR FEELINGS. Call or meet up with a trusted listener. EXPRESS YOURSELF. Write in a journal, paint a picture or bake something. Art can be healing. 2 BE REALISTIC. How many holiday events can you really handle? Saying yes to every request is exhausting. 3 4 CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF. You don’t have to be merry. But if you’re overwhelmed, talk to your doctor. RELAX AND RECHARGE. Watch a favorite movie, take a soothing bath or practice some deep breathing. 5 6 Stress and grief can make the holidays a difficult and lonely time. If you’re struggling, try these tips. HOLIDAY BLUES? Sources: National Coalition on Aging; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE HOLIDAYS Healthy habits for a happy holiday season Social media is a great way to stay connected, network with colleagues, raise awareness about important issues and share holiday cheer. On the other hand, studies show that heavy social media use raises your risk for depression, anxiety and loneliness. Plus, it can distract you from dealing directly with negative emotions. This may be especially true during the holidays, when stress, grief and other negative emotions are often high. The good news? Healthy social media habits may help you avoid the downsides. Get started with these tips. Focus on healthy relationships Spending time with friends and family who make you feel good is a powerful way to relieve stress and improve your sense of wellbeing. Video chat with a loved one who lives far away. Meet a friend for coffee, a meal, a workout or some holiday shopping. In addition: ● Say hello to or smile at people when you’re out and about. You can improve how you feel and boost others’ spirits. ● Follow only positive people online. Keep a questioning attitude to avoid falling prey to misinformation, conspiracy theories and negativity. Use your time wisely Creating social connections with others is a great way to use social media and avoid doomscrolling. In addition, set some limits: ● Cut down how often you check for updates. Time-limiting apps can help. ● Turn off notifications. ● Ban phones at the dinner table or before bed. ● Turn off devices when not in use. ● Don’t compare yourself or your life to people online. What you see on social media isn’t reality. ● Practice mindfulness, gratitude and engaging with the real world to improve your overall well-being. ● Take a break from social media. Harness the holiday spirit While it’s true that the holidays can be bittersweet, research suggests that reminiscing in a positive—and not excessive— way can counteract despair and hopelessness. In other words, embracing that nostalgic feeling can help reduce loneliness and strengthen social connections. So this holiday season, skip the social media trap and take time to recreate old traditions—or make new ones—with family and friends. And take your healthy media habits with you into the new year. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; American Psychiatric Association; American Psychological Association; Boys and Girls Clubs of America; HelpGuide; National Institutes of Health
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