Surviving Christmas
By Tonya King
The Christmas season is in full swing at my home. I absolutely love Christmas. First, because it is the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which is the most important reason.
Secondly. It is the season of family and good will toward our fellow man. But I also know that it can be a season of stress, both good and bad. A season of ups and downs and even loneliness. This aspect of the Christmas season most saddens me.
During this time, a person suffering from a mental illness can completely come undone. All the gains we have made during the time leading up to the Holidays can be wiped out with one full and stressful day.
Shopping (pressure to find the perfect gift), baking (pressure to make all the tasty treats everyone loves), wrapping, parties, dinners… all of it can just be to much.
But there are things we can do to protect our hard-fought mental gains. Here are a few I have found helpful through the years:
You do not have to perform. Everyone loves you as you are. Do not feel you need to put on a façade.
You do not have to say “yes” to every invitation or request.
Step back and pray about the request that are being made. Let the Holy Spirit direct your days.
Do not forget that this is a time of love towards others. When that certain family member gets a little pushy or says something quite harsh or even downright mean, do not allow it to put you in a dark place.
Surrender it to God and allow Him to deal with it as you continue with your day.
Remember to spend time with the Lord. Carve out time in your busy day to read the Word and pray. This will keep you centered and allow you to remember the reason we are celebrating. (this is the most important step).
Get enough rest. Lack of sleep can exacerbate our symptoms.
And finally, remember to breathe. Stepping back and taking a few deep breaths can help to ease tension, bring clarity, and give you a moment to reflect on what is going on in the moment.
As we go through the Christmas season, we may find that we need to slow down and remind ourselves that we may react differently than family and friends are expecting.
We may be a little to “up” or a little to “down”. Most people think that our mood should reflect the joy of the season, and for the most part, it does.
But there are those moments when our illness may take over. Gently remind your loved one that your illness does not take a holiday and that you are doing the best you can.
Give yourself grace and permission to feel what you are feeling. And remember, feelings are fickle, and we do not have to act on everything we are feeling.
Empty yourself every day at the feet of Jesus, both when your day begins and when it has ended. Allow Jesus to carry you through the difficult days and try to truly enjoy the good ones.
Remember, He is all things to us and the reason we are celebrating.
Author Bio
Tonya King is a Writer, Speaker and Mental Health Coach. She is the founder of Faithful in the Midst ministries which is a ministry devoted to the healing and wholeness of mental illnesses through faith in Jesus Christ.
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