ABC of Mental Health

Hello! Welcome to another edition of the ABC of Mental Health, your partner in the journey to better mental health — one newsletter at a time. This week’s theme is holiday season. We bring it to your inbox this Thursday to make your Thursday a little therapeutic!  

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Three TherapyShorts by TST

Expectation Management: The holiday season often comes with heightened expectations, whether it's about creating the perfect celebration, finding the ideal gift, or having harmonious family gatherings. It's crucial to recognize that not every moment needs to be picture-perfect, and it's okay if things don't go exactly as planned. Managing expectations, and embracing imperfections (and as always – setting boundaries!) can significantly reduce stress and contribute to better mental well-being during the holidays.

Embracing Simplicity: The holiday season often brings pressure to engage in elaborate decorations, extravagant gift-giving, and complex meal preparations. Embracing simplicity can be a powerful strategy for reducing stress. Consider focusing on meaningful, quality time with loved ones rather than the quantity or cost of gifts. For instance, instead of getting caught up in the pressure to buy numerous gifts, consider emphasizing. This approach encourages a shift in focus from material aspects to the intrinsic value of shared moments, fostering a more positive and fulfilling holiday experience.

Creating New Traditions: If traditional holiday activities contribute to stress or if circumstances have changed, consider creating new and meaningful traditions. This could involve adopting simpler rituals, exploring different ways to celebrate, or even volunteering to help others. Whether it's centred around giving back, being creative, exploring new activities, or fostering gratitude, these traditions can add depth and meaning to your holiday celebrations. Creating positive and personally fulfilling traditions can add a sense of novelty and excitement to the holiday season while aligning with your mental health needs.

Two Quotes on Gratitude and Power of Mindset

Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul and philanthropist, imparts timeless wisdom – gratitude begets abundance and recommends focusing on blessings to foster a positive mindset: 

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

John F. Kennedy, the 35th U.S. President, underscores the essence of genuine gratitude. Beyond spoken words, he urges embodying appreciation through actions—a reminder that true gratitude is a lived experience: 

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

One Relevant recommendation

The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times (Book, 2021)

Jane Goodall, a renowned anthropologist, shares her experiences of surviving World War II and navigating her journey as an environmentalist. Throughout the book, she discusses four reasons for hope: the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power of young people, and the indomitable human spirit. The book emphasises that hope is a survival trait that all of us possess but needs cultivation. The book is a must-read for anyone looking to find a roadmap to feel hopeful. 

Love and light,

The Social Therapist

PS: Happy holidays!Holid