Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 44
These emotions can also be compounded by
other factors, such as drugs and alcohol that
some may use to cope with their stress 3
according to Health Direct Australia. In
addition, HDA says pressures during the
holiday season can also lead to relationship
breakdowns, depression and anxiety.
Exercises to help you minimise the
impact on your mental health
There are a number of exercises you can do
to support your mental wellbeing during the
holiday season. While this time of year can be
joyful, it’s helpful to acknowledge our
emotions and financial pressures. So, to
ensure you’re caring for your mental
wellbeing, here is what Health Direct says
you should do:
Be honest with those around you: If you
cannot afford expensive gifts this year or
chip in on a joint present where your
family or friends haven’t considered your
financial position, be vocal and let them
know. There is no shame in being honest
and letting those around you know that
you can’t afford to over-indulge this year.
In the long run, this can help mitigate
these pressures.
Prepare a budget: Budgeting is one of the
most important aspects of holiday
shopping. Segment your costs, divide
them into pools, and then pick gifts to
buy based on this budget. You must also
factor in your essentials4food, energy,
rent or mortgage, etc. So, start by
subtracting these costs from your budget
to see what you have left to spend.
Start putting money aside early or
optimise on sales: Consider buying
presents during seasonal sale events,
like Black Friday, when the price tag is
slashed. This can help you get the
presents you want at a cheaper price.
Alternatively, put money aside during
the year as a simple savings plan to
ensure you have the funds you need
for the holiday season. You could also
purchase items over a few months
instead of all at once.
Look after yourself: As we’ve
previously said, financial pressures can
lead to excessive eating of unhealthy
foods. So, ensure you’re still
exercising, eating healthily, reducing
unhealthy foods, and practising
mindfulness techniques.
Find the positives
Remember: the holiday season is not
about expensive gifts and outspending
others. It’s a time for you to take a break,
lean on loved ones, and enjoy your time
together. So, find the positives of the
festive period and keep that in mind. If
you’re honest with those around you, you
may be positively surprised by their
reaction and find that you didn’t need to
get that pricey gift to show your love.
Also, remember, it’s the thought that
counts!
