As the holiday season dawns upon us, a cacophony of jingle bells and the sweet scent of eggnog envelop the air. However, amidst the festive cheer, many find themselves grappling with the silent Grinch of the season – Holiday Mental Health. Fear not, for this guide is your map to reclaiming the true magic of the season by placing your mental well-being at the forefront. A Guided Walk Through Holiday Mental Health The festive season descends – a whirlwind of twinkling lights, sugary treats, and family gatherings. While joy abounds, whispers of stress , anxiety , and even a tinge of sadness can lurk beneath the cheer. Fear not, weary traveler, for this is a map to navigate the emotional terrain of the holidays, prioritizing your mental well-being and claiming your inner peace. Setting Boundaries, Not Cookies The pressure to be everywhere, bake everything, and please everyone can turn the joyous season into a daunting ordeal. The key is to set boundaries – a concept far more vital than bak...
An intrusive thought is an unwelcome, involuntary thought, image, or unpleasant idea that may become an obsession, is upsetting or distressing, and can feel difficult to manage or eliminate. (source: Wikipedia ) Common examples of intrusive thoughts include unwanted, intrusive thoughts about the safety of oneself or others, causing distress, and thoughts of performing dangerous actions. These thoughts may lead to negative behaviors, which may increase vulnerability to future experiences of trauma. Intrusive thoughts have been linked to recent life stress, sleep deprivation, prior anxiety, and childhood abuse. The state of depression , suicidal ideation, or anxiety may also be caused by the release of stress hormones. Analysis of studies in subjects who had experienced prolonged periods of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found that intrusive thoughts and flashbacks are associated with greater than 50% of symptoms, especially memory fragmentation. Intrusive thoughts often occur ...