BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's almost that time of year to gather around the table, and grab your favorite Thanksgiving fixings.
For many, Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season. A time of joy, that can also bring a lot stress.
"The holidays are definitely a time of increased stress. They're a time of joy but also a time when people can experience a lot of grief. A lot of pressure for things to be perfect," said Elizabeth Hole, corporate director of outpatient operations at Horizon Health Services.
If you're feeling the stress, you are definitely not alone.
According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of Americans say their stress increased during the holiday season.
And the National Alliance on Mental Illness, notes that 64% if individuals living with a mental illness felt their their conditions worsened around the holidays.
Hole said there are a few guidelines to follow if you want to avoid the toll the holidays may take on your health:
- Manage expectations, and avoid trying to compare yourself to what you see on social media.
- Set healthy boundaries for yourself.
- There's pressure that holidays have to include alcohol, they have to include that level of celebration and for many folks that's not healthy and to know that they don't have to partake in that.
- Pay attention to when a substance is really impacting your ability to function on a day to day basis, that's usually a good time to reach out and talk to someone.
- Try to practice gratitude as much as possible, to try to look at the things that are going well and try to put energy into that.
- Help someone else in need. Looking to someone else that's less fortunate, who might not have supports, are you able to check in with a neighbor for example who is elderly and alone, those things stimulate chemicals that give you a good feeling.
And if you or a loved one need help, it is available.
The national crisis hotline is 988, and to get in touch with Horizon Health call: 716-831-1800.