Tips for managing grief and depression during the holidays
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Many call it ‘the most wonderful time of year,’ but the holidays are not always easy on our mental health.
According to the American Psychological Association, 89% of surveyed Americans reported feeling “more stressed” during the holiday season.
That stress can translate in a lot of ways.
Dr. Erika Geisler has been a psychologist and life coach for more than two decades.
Geisler says the first step you can take to protect mental health this season is taking time to care for yourself.
“I think we need to be taking care of our mental health. We need to be exercising, getting sleep, watching how much we’re drinking at these holiday parties, and all of the things like that so you feel like you’re functioning the best,” Geisler said
Additionally, Geisler recommends volunteering in your community.
“Because if you’re making somebody else feel good, it’s pretty hard to feel bad in that moment,” she said.
Geisler is also grappling with a loss of her own. She was close friends with someone we’re all grieving this holiday season at WWAY: Anchor Donna Gregory, who died last month after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
“My village and my friends have really been helpful in getting through the loss of Donna because it’s something that we’re all experiencing together and it’s a hole in our hearts that can’t be filled. So reaching out to each other and leaning on each other has been really helpful,” Geisler explained.
Geisler adds if this is your first holiday without someone, do things to honor them, like wearing their favorite color, making a dish they used to make, or donating to a charity in their name.
“That person lives on in other people. Whether it’s genetically living on in other people, or ways in which that person has touched your life and made a difference in your life,” Geisler said.
Geisler says sometimes when we’re at our lowest, all it takes is a person to listen.
“There’s friends out there, there’s communities, there’s support groups, there’s resources, there are a whole bunch of therapists. There’s a lot going on in our community so you shouldn’t have to feel alone.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health crisis, resources are available:
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