The holiday season can be a joyous time, while also bringing up feelings of loss, trauma, interpersonal conflict, stress, and overwhelm. This holiday season, regardless of what you may or may not celebrate, try to keep in mind the importance of extending grace and compassion to oneself. There can be endless pressure to buy the right gift, prepare the right food, or clean the house before guests arrive. While these endeavors are not necessarily wrong, they can also bring up numerous emotions and negatively impact our mental health. It is important to remember that the holidays are about extending love and gratitude while reflecting on the past year and the year ahead. It is okay if everything on your to-do list does not get accomplished, and it does not reflect your character or self-worth. Setting boundaries with other people and towards yourself can be helpful too. Not interested in hosting holiday festivities or traveling to visit friends or family? That’s ok! Let it be known. We can have compassion for others when their expectations are not met, but it is just as important to extend that compassion to ourselves as well.

Here at ZoeRVA Health, we hope you and your loved ones take this holiday season to rest, recharge, love, and simply be. We value each and every one of you and hope you extend that warm energy to yourself as well.

Below are some free sources as you navigate mental health this season:

• National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Guide
• University of Maryland’s Holiday Checklist for LGBTQ+ Individuals

Happy Holidays!