Holiday Health Tips - December 2023

Health Services Stall News

For Health and Wellness

​​The reality is that the holidays can bring as much stress as they do joy. Practicing good self-care can help you to manage the stress in healthy ways. Find ways to relax each day - even if only for 10-15 minutes!​

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress and Depression

  • Get better sleep. For tips on how to get better sleep, search for “Stall News” on the college website and read the Sept 2022 edition on sleep.
  • Take breaks. Even 15 minutes alone, doing something you enjoy without any distractions, can help to refresh you enough to manage everything else you need to do that day. Listen to music. Cuddle with a pet. Enjoy a coffee or tea. Get outside in the sunlight.
  • Be realistic. Don’t strive for perfection – it is okay if things are not perfect. Don’t overspend. Enjoy the company around you. Notice and appreciate the good things you experience no matter how small.
  • Don’t over-book your time. When your schedule is full, learn to say “no” to optional activities (even fun ones) to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
  • Respond with Kindness. Accept and respect others. Remember that those around you may also be struggling with holiday stress and depression.
  • Reach out if you are lonely. Talk to friends or family. Seek out community, religious, or other social events. Volunteer time to help others.
  • Acknowledge your feelings. If you’re experiencing loss or hurt, realize that it's normal to feel sad and it's OK to cry – even during the holidays.
  • Seek professional help if you need it. If you feel persistently sad, unable to sleep, or plagued by other health issues, visit the college Health & Wellness Office, or talk to your doctor or mental health professional.
woman and dog sleeping under a blanket

Sleep: The Foundation for Good Self-Care

Running around each day (or even just being awake) causes daily wear and tear on your body and your mind. Dealing with increased stressors or chronic stress takes an even bigger toll. Sleep is the main way your body repairs, restores, and refuels itself. Without good sleep, your mind and body cannot function properly. If you become chronically sleep deprived, your body and mind will begin to “break down”.

Without good sleep you don’t feel good; you’re tired, cranky, and irritable. You also don’t look very good - puffy red eyes, dark circles, and low energy. Your ability to pay attention, learn, and retain information is greatly diminished without good sleep. In addition, lack of sleep increases your chance of getting sick (ex. Flu, COVID), increases your chance of experiencing depression and anxiety, and worsens the symptoms of any health conditions you may have (asthma, diabetes, acne, indigestion, hypertension, PMS, etc.).

Again, sleep is the main way your body repairs, restores, and refuels itself. Sleep is essential for wellness. Make good sleep a life-long priority, and you will look better, feel better, handle stress better, and live longer.