Mental Health Tips for Winter Break
After the stress of final tests and projects, many of us are excited about having
some time off. It can be great not to think about your next virtual class, assignment
deadline or balancing school, work, family and life! But recuperating can sometimes
feel more overwhelming than school.
Too much time? It can be just as stressful having too much time on our hands as it
can be juggling the school/life balance. Making a plan or list of things you'd like
to accomplish over break is a good way to set the stage for being productive and maintaining
healthy habits. Winter break also offers you the time and opportunity to try a new
hobby or engage in things that promote positivity in your life, like starting a 2021
vision board, diving into a new book or starting a new virtual workout program. Just
remember to make sure you maintain your regular eating and sleeping patterns.
Conflict? Having more time at home can lead to more conflict with family members or
roommates, though this "more time at home thing" is not new to any of this year. While
you cannot always change those around you, you can take steps to take care of yourself.
Plan ahead by thinking what conflicts usually arise and how to respond to them. Make
a list of coping strategies and use them. If you feel something is going to be challenging,
plan to do something you enjoy afterwards as a reward. Make sure these are healthy
rewards like taking a bubble bath, making a cup of your favorite hot tea or talking
with an understanding friend.
Worried your mental health? Many people experience an increase in mental health symptoms
around this time of year for a variety of reasons. If you are in treatment, we encourage
you to work with your provider to find strategies that will help you. If you are not
in treatment or think you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder,
the break gives you time to focus on how you're feeling, what you might need and how
to make a plan moving forward. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety,
are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible!