Here含羞草研究社檚 hoping Santa brings good mental health to all over the holidays.

Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon and District is encouraging North Okanagan residents to make mental health a priority for themselves and those around them.

含羞草研究社淲e know that for many people, reality doesn含羞草研究社檛 play out like a TV movie and the expectation of the perfect holiday amplifies feelings of isolation, financial strain, or increased family conflict,含羞草研究社� said Julia Payson, Vernon and District CMHA executive director. 含羞草研究社淭his can particularly be the case for those experiencing loss, those estranged from family, and people who are carrying a lot of the household responsibilities.

含羞草研究社淭here are some steps we can all take to mitigate the stress of the holiday season. Keeping things simple and focusing on what is important to you, can help make the holidays enjoyable for yourself too.含羞草研究社�

Tips for Holiday Peace of Mind

含羞草研究社� Plan ahead and simplify. If you含羞草研究社檙e hosting people, try to prepare in advance and reduce how much you expect of yourself. Buy pre-made or easy to prepare food if you can afford it. Then you can enjoy visiting friends, relatives, and coworkers.

含羞草研究社� As much as possible, delegate to others, or ask what you can do. One person does not have to cook all the food and wrap all the gifts. Delegate to family members, have potlucks, and reduce how much you ask of yourself if you are the person who typically does the preparation. If you don含羞草研究社檛 tend to do as much of the baking, cooking, cleaning, or gift wrapping, take those jobs on.

含羞草研究社� Maintain your healthy habits. The same things that keep you mentally healthy throughout the year are still important during the holidays. Whether it含羞草研究社檚 a walk or a workout, your mental health is connected to your physical health. Decide when you want to indulge and when you want to maintain your health habits.

含羞草研究社� Stay within budget. A call or a visit to tell someone how important they are can be more meaningful than a gift. Our love of our family and friends is not based on the most expensive present. Enjoy free activities like walking or driving around to look at holiday decorations, or making your own decorations or presents.

含羞草研究社� Consider why the holidays are important to you. Develop your own meaningful traditions that don含羞草研究社檛 have to cost a lot of money or involve traditions that cause you stress. You have the right to feel good during the holidays. Use this time of year to reflect on your own journey.

含羞草研究社� Spend time with people that you care about. Surround yourself with the people who you love and who care for you as well. Your chosen family is valid. If you含羞草研究社檙e part of a big gathering, invite someone you know is alone to attend. If you find yourself away from loved ones for the holidays, you can join people giving back to community.

含羞草研究社� Connect with your community. We all feel better when we contribute to our community. Help at the food bank or mission. Give to a charity that helps those in need. Smile at the people working at the busy stores. Thank the barista.

含羞草研究社� Learn stress-busting skills you can use year-round. If the holidays often get you down, and this carries on into the New Year and starts to affect your daily life, you can access help. Talk to your family doctor or check out programs like BounceBack. To learn more, visit.

The season can be especially difficult when we含羞草研究社檝e lost someone or have grief connected with the holidays. CMHA offers some tips to help you or someone you know get through a potentially hard time.

Dealing with Holiday Grief

含羞草研究社� Talking about the loved one is OK. You don含羞草研究社檛 need to tiptoe around your loved one含羞草研究社檚 memory 含羞草研究社� that will only make it worse. You miss them, and you can talk about them.

含羞草研究社� Things won含羞草研究社檛 be the same. It含羞草研究社檚 normal to feel at odds with yourself and family events when dealing with grief. Try not to hide, but don含羞草研究社檛 feel guilty about limiting how many events you attend. Give yourself the space you need.

含羞草研究社� Don含羞草研究社檛 let other people含羞草研究社檚 expectations dictate how your holiday will unfold. If you don含羞草研究社檛 feel like doing something this holiday season, don含羞草研究社檛 let others force you. If you do want to attend holiday functions, make sure you know your limits. Do whatever you need to do to help yourself.

含羞草研究社� Take care of yourself and seek support. Stress, depression, and bodily neglect are not a great mix at any time of the year. Don含羞草研究社檛 forget to practice self-care and talk to your friends and family about how you feel. Also, many communities offer support groups for people who are grieving. Being around people who know what you含羞草研究社檙e going through can be very comforting.

To learn more about CMHA Vernon含羞草研究社檚 services and programs, or to donate, go to .