For most the holidays can be a time of joy, a time to share with friends and family and reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. However this is not always the case for everyone. For some, the holidays can increase stress, and worsen anxiety and depressive symptoms. Below are some tips for you to manage your mental health during the holiday season, as well as throughout the year.

Identify your support network: Your supports could include parents, a spouse or a partner, children, siblings, co-workers, friends, neighbors and health care providers. Having different individuals in your support network provides options for different kinds of support. Identifying your supports can alleviate stress and provide you with a sense of security and reassurance as you approach the holiday season.Its important to reach out to your network if you are feeling your symptoms are worsening or you need help.

Be prepared: To decrease stress, have a plan, and prepare for travel related expenses along with unexpected issues that may arise. Make lists, delegate tasks and stay organized.

Set a budget: To help decrease the financial burden and strain related to gift giving, meal prep, and travel expenses stick to your budget.

Manage your time: To decrease feeling overwhelmed, dont overbook your calendar, get plenty of rest, communicate to those around you, and ask for help when needed. Taking on too much can increase stress, anxiety and leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

Volunteer: Sometimes we arent able to spend the holidays with those we love, whether its due to distance, loss or financial restrictions. To avoid feeling lonely, get involved and volunteer. Volunteering can provide a sense of belonging, gives you purpose and a way to give back to the community.

Manage anxiety: Get plenty of exercise, rest, relaxation, read a book, limit alcohol and caffeine, these can aggravate anxiety and can trigger panic attacks, instead try to drink water.

Be realistic: Most importantly know your limits and make plans that make sense to you. Symptoms can sometimes worsen when we have expectations that are not realistic. Accept that you cant control everything and do your best, aiming for perfection isnt possible, be proud of what you achieve or accomplish.

While some stress is unavoidable during the holidays hopefully these tips/strategies will help make the holidays more manageable for you.

Katherine Ramos is behavioral health practice manager at UCFS Healthcare.

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Healthy Living: Heres tips to cope with holiday stress - Norwich Bulletin