Mental Health Expert offers advice for navigating holiday stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The holiday season can be a time of joy and happiness for some while inducing stress and anxiety for others.
Burrell Behavioral Health's Director of Outpatient Services Ashley Angerer-Blunt offers some advice on how to navigate the holiday season.
"Holiday seasons can be really stressful," said Angerer-Blunt, "there are a lot of different stressors like seeing your family for the first time."
Angerer-Blunt said holiday stress can be induced by a number of things including the loss of a family member, or job, or the financial burden that comes with the holiday season.
"One of the things we like to talk about is setting up a self-care game plan," Angere-Blunt said.
These self-care game plans can include.
- Make sure you are getting enough sleep.
- Eating a balanced diet.
- Reaching out to close friends and family.
- Keeping up with your physical health.
Angerer-Blunt said granting yourself grace is important as well.
"It's a hard time of the year, so cutting yourself some slack and being able to connect to those things that really give you joy," said Angerer-Blunt.
Setting boundaries is another piece of advice Angerer-Blunt encourages.
"It's okay to say no, it's okay to go to events and leave early," said Angerer-Blunt, "knowing what you are comfortable with is really really important."
Located at 1805 E. Walnut, Columbia, Missouri 65201.
Burrell also offers a 24-hours Crisis Hotline.
Southwest Missouri
1-800-494-7355
Central Missouri
1-800-395-2132
