Newswise — Fall and winter may be difficult for a lot of from a mental health perspective, and for the second yr in a row, the vacation season might be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Listed here are some recommendations on ways to take care of good mental health within the months ahead from Allison Johnsen, LCPC, BCC, behavioral health specialist at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital.

Give attention to the meaning of the vacations
Ask yourself what the vacations mean to you personally. What do you cherish: the feast, the family camaraderie, viewing the lights and decorations? Discover what’s most significant and meaningful for you, and be flexible with the remainder. Then discover specific ways to make the vacations special for you this yr.

Beware ‘post-pandemic flux syndrome’
Coined in a Washington Post article by Riley Cuddy on August 11, 2021, this is just not a clinical term, nevertheless it is something you’ll have noticed affecting you in the course of the long months of the pandemic. Many individuals are feeling fairly numb, or trending up and down with anxiety and depression, as hopes of a return to “normal” wax and wane. You could also end up wanting to make a giant change, like moving to a special state; changing jobs; buying an RV, a latest automobile or a latest house; or working remotely from one other location (perhaps in your latest RV). But be sure you vet such decisions fastidiously and understand where they’re coming from. You don’t have the desire to make a long-term decision like blowing your budget, depleting your savings, or walking away out of your spouse in response to the pandemic.

Stay energetic
Put exercise, movement, outdoor and social activities into your schedule as must-do’s, similar to meetings or appointments. It might be protected to return to the gym, especially in case you are vaccinated. Walking is all the time an option with weather-appropriate clothing. You can too try Pilates, yoga and other video-streaming exercise options at home.

Cultivate a positive mindset
Take a have a look at your thought process and adjust if needed. Observe your individual considering and ask yourself: Is it negative, fearful or indignant? In that case, that’s the way you will feel. So keep your thoughts as positive as possible and curb that inner negativity with these ideas:

• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Reading or take heed to uplifting music, podcasts or audio books.
• Remind yourself that winter is temporary and spring light will come again. Here within the Northern Hemisphere, every single day after December 21 gets longer.
• Each week, schedule activities you enjoy and look ahead to:
  o Visits with family and friends
  o Special dinners
  o Reading an amazing book
  o Watching a TV series that doesn’t depress you
  o Taking over a project or hobby and keeping at it (productivity is great for mental health)
• Reach out to someone you trust in case you find your thoughts are trending towards the negative or irrational. Ask for help to return to a positive mindset.

Protect your health this winter
Implement these practices to spice up your immune system and your mental health:

• Make sleep a priority. Get seven to eight hours on most nights. It will improve your mood and your productivity.
• Keep hand-washing, mask-wearing and physical distancing in case you are indoors with individuals who is probably not vaccinated or outdoors in crowded situations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov has excellent guidelines to guard yourself and people you like.
• Take vitamins.
• Avoid bingeing on food and alcohol.
• Keep exercising.
• Use lotion, as skin dries out in low humidity and heated environments.
• Monitor your thought patterns and work on increasing positive considering.

If you happen to find you can’t do at the very least a few of these healthy things on your individual, then seek a mental health counselor or discuss with your primary care physician.