1 out of 4 people in the United States alone suffers from a mental disorder. Some of the most common disorders include anxiety and depression, as well as substance abuse disorders. Lonely holidays can make these problems even worse, even if you haven’t been officially diagnosed with a disorder.
Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can stay positive during the holiday season, even when things look bleak. But where should you start? Keep reading and learn more about what you can do to stay positive during this time.
Avoid Drinking During the Holidays
Drinking during the holidays is a thing that is all too easy to do. However, drinking is not the answer to your feelings of loneliness and depression. In fact, drinking alcohol will most likely make you feel worse.
This is a common occurrence during the holidays. Some people manage to stay sober for most of the year, but once the holidays come around, they are tempted to start drinking. After all, just about every holiday party includes some bottles of wine and beer, if not hard liquor.
Having a glass of wine with dinner or a bottle of beer with your friends might not turn into anything serious, but the problem is that many people go far beyond just one bottle or one glass. Once your drinking becomes more serious, it can be hard to stop. Many people drink because alcohol is able to numb their feelings and thoughts, so they don’t have to focus on how they feel.
The Details
This, of course, is not the answer to your problems, and it certainly won’t solve anything. Excessive alcohol consumption will only make things worse. San Diego alcohol rehabilitation can help you stay on track. Rehab centers in San Diego are full of professionals that know all about how substance abuse disorders work and how difficult they are to kick.
If you find that you are relying too much on alcohol to get you through the holiday season, it would be a wise decision to seek out professional help. That way, with the right support, it will be easier for you to avoid alcohol during the holidays.
Instead of using alcohol as a crutch, you could instead better reflect on how you’re feeling and what you can do to change that in a healthy and constructive way. By doing that, you won’t have to harm yourself or others.
Treat Yourself
During the holiday season, you might be tempted to close yourself up in your home and stay in bed the whole time. However, this is not a great way to deal with feelings of loneliness and depression. Instead, it is important to pull yourself up and out of these negative feelings.
You can do this in a variety of ways, but a great way to go about doing this is to treat yourself. That way, you can focus on yourself, what you want, and try to make yourself feel better. For example, a great way to treat yourself is to turn a dull day into a spa day.
Doing something as simple as taking a bath, listening to music, and lighting some scented candles can really boost your mood more than you might expect. This is because all of these things can help you relax and feel better about yourself. Scented things like candles, bath oils, perfumes, and other products can also stimulate the brain and uplift your mood while relaxing you at the same time.
What You Need to Know
If a spa day in the comfort of your own home doesn’t quite sound like your thing, you can always try something else you enjoy such as putting on your favorite movie and curling up with some great snacks. Or, you could take the day to catch up on some hobbies that you might have.
Whatever the case, taking time for yourself is very important. We live in a very fast-paced world, and it is rare that people have time for themselves anymore. But putting aside a bit of time for yourself, even if it is only a few minutes, can make a huge difference, and it will give you time to relax and focus on what you want.
Spend Time With People
Even when you’re surrounded by loved ones, you may still feel lonely during the holiday season. However, you shouldn’t let that stop you from spending time with people who are important to you. Going out and talking with people is a good way to get out of the house and stimulate your mind.
Besides spending time with friends and family, you should consider meeting strangers and making new friends. For example, going out to public events or taking classes is a great way to meet new people. While meeting new people may sound like a chore or may cause you anxiety, it is still important to make yourself take this step to be more social.
After all, when you go out in public and allow yourself to get to know people, you’ll never know what kind of interesting people you’ll encounter.
How to Overcome the Lonely Holidays
Lonely holidays are tough to deal with, but it is important to know that what you are feeling won’t last forever. With a bit of self-care and socialization and by avoiding excessive alcohol, you can avoid negative feelings and instead focus more on the positives.
If you are having a hard time coping with your emotions, contact us here for support.