Guide to Manage Mental Health During the Holidays

The festive season might be a special time of year for many people, but for others, it brings stress and a need to manage mental health during the holidays. Many individuals who are recovering from a substance use disorder find the holiday season to be stressful or fraught with temptation. Holiday get-togethers and parties are often laden with alcoholic beverages. Emotional stress, which might be magnified during the festive season, can be a trigger for relapse. 

WhiteSands has a reputation for outstanding client care. We treat all forms of substance addiction with our inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. We also offer medical detox with 24/7 clinical support, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment. Our clinicians are licensed, experienced, and devoted to individualizing care to suit each client’s needs. Although there isn’t a cure for substance use disorders, they can be managed successfully. 

Even though the holidays can be stressful, they can also be rewarding. Prioritizing your mental health needs is essential during addiction recovery. WhiteSands can help you develop strategies to minimize your stress during the holidays and promote your mental wellness. The holidays might feel different now that you’ve said no for good to alcohol or drugs, but they can still feel great depending on your outlook and ability to cope with mental health challenges. Let WhiteSands help you manage mental health during the holidays to reduce the risk of relapse. 

The Importance of Mental Health During the Holiday Season

Alcohol and drug addiction take a toll on both mental and physical health. As your body heals from the damaging effects of drugs or alcohol, your mind also needs support for healing. Too much stress can be overwhelming for a person in recovery. It’s important to minimize stress and other triggers during the festive season so that you can keep your recovery plan on track. 

Stress is often a key factor in the development of a substance use disorder and dual diagnosis. That means that managing it effectively is of considerable importance. During treatment at WhiteSands, our clinicians can help you identify the triggers that cause you mental stress and then develop healthful ways to cope with them. With help, you can enjoy the holidays and improved mental wellness.  

Identifying Common Mental Health Stressors During the Holidays

What are your holiday stressors? These might be different for everyone. Some people who are recovering from a substance addiction, not surprisingly, feel stress because they still crave the substance they were addicted to. It doesn’t help that substances like alcohol seem to be everywhere during the festive season. Other people might experience loneliness because of relationship struggles. Others might feel social anxiety or financial stress during this time of year. 

It’s important to identify what is causing you to feel mental stress during the holidays so that you can manage the stress in healthful ways. Although it’s not always possible to resolve problems that are causing you stress, you can improve how you cope. WhiteSands can help you develop strategies for combating holiday stress in positive ways. 

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress and Anxiety

Don’t let holiday stress get the better of you this season. There are numerous ways you can manage holiday stressors effectively. When you are feeling anxious or stressed, try the following strategies to improve your mental state:

• Enroll in an addiction treatment program at WhiteSands
• Attend aftercare–or additional aftercare–programming for holiday support
• Meditate
• Attend yoga classes
• Engage in physical fitness activities (i.e. walking, jogging, aerobics)
• Meet with a close friend or family member
• Read
• Host your sober-friendly celebrations
• Volunteer

These are just a few ways you can manage holiday stress and anxiety. Think about spending time doing things that have historically made you feel good (healthy things) like hobbies. Activities that reduce stress can help you build up your mental fortitude during the holidays and beyond. 

Navigating Family Expectations and Social Obligations

For many people, families can be supportive, but that’s not the case for everyone. Some of the most difficult relationships are among family members. As someone recovering from a substance use disorder, you will have to prioritize your mental health to effectively combat the stressors that could, otherwise, trigger relapse. If difficult relationships with family members cannot be well managed, you may need to adjust your schedule to either avoid meeting with them or to spend less time with them. 

Is it difficult to navigate family expectations during the holidays? It certainly can be. That’s why it’s important to attend treatment sessions or aftercare to get personalized help dealing with your particular situation with family and close friends.

The Role of Self-Care in Holiday Mental Health

Self-care can make all the difference between continued recovery and relapse. Each day, it’s important to gauge your mental health. What is your stress level? Are you struggling with negative emotions like sadness, fear, anger, or loneliness? If so, it’s vital to get help managing these emotions and stressors so that they do not derail your recovery progress. 

By coping with stress in healthy ways, you can preserve your mental health. Remember that substance addiction has already seriously impacted your mental well-being. You are still healing mentally and physically from the effects of your substance use disorder. Give yourself time and space to heal. Use self-care techniques learned during rehab to protect your mental health. 

Coping with Loneliness and Isolation During the Festive Season

People who are recovering from an addiction are not immune to negative emotions like loneliness. The holidays can magnify feelings of loneliness and sadness. To cope, it’s helpful to attend therapy sessions regularly or participate in aftercare. Meeting with supportive individuals can help you manage your negative emotions. Talk to a WhiteSands therapist about ways you might spend your time with others to reduce negative emotions.

Healthy Holiday Routines for Mental Wellness 

During substance abuse treatment, clients learn the importance of designing positive and healthy routines for living. Healthy routines can form a positive framework for living a healthful life. A good routine provides a framework that supports a person’s mental well-being. At WhiteSands, we help each client develop a routine with healthy lifestyle activities. Including strategies like getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious meals, engaging in positive hobbies, etc…can help individuals in recovery improve their mental well-being and keep their recovery process moving forward. 

How WhiteSands Treatment Supports Mental Health During the Holidays

WhiteSands is a leading addiction treatment center that offers a complete range of addiction treatment programming. Our treatment plans include evidence-based treatments as well as alternative and holistic therapies that support the recovery process. We help clients develop strategies for maintaining and improving their mental wellness. Mental well-being can help clients safeguard their recovery progress and achieve their recovery goals. 

Don’t struggle alone during the festive season. Take care of your mental health and visit WhiteSands. We offer inpatient and outpatient treatment plans as well as medical detox, aftercare, and sober living opportunities. Your recovery is essential to your future well-being, and your mental health is a core factor in your recovery journey. Call WhiteSands today to learn more about our treatments and enrollment process. We look forward to helping you achieve lasting recovery. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.