The winter holiday season is often filled with joy, connection and celebration, yet stress and anxiety can become unwanted guests. To combat the negative aspects of this festive time of year, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County and the Suicide Prevention Coalition collaborated to create a handy guide to help you navigate the holidays more easily.

Whether attending family events, dealing with financial pressures or just managing expectations—from yourself or others—the holidays can bring about more stress than bliss. By reviewing the suggestions in this booklet and practicing self-care in the colder months, approaching the holiday season with confidence and ease may never have been easier. 

Although this booklet may seem short at only 15 pages, the ADAMHS Board covers everything from grief to gifts. Topics include 10 Ways to Take Charge of Your Holiday Plans, Grieving During the Holidays, Kids Activities, Recovery-Friendly Holiday Party ideas and more! This guide is a treasure trove for those who dread the holidays or might just need some outside perspectives. 

As many Americans return to work after the Thanksgiving holiday and prepare for the month of festivities ahead, self-care can often go by the wayside. Planning events, juggling financial commitments and taking care of others can be fulfilling, but it can also be draining. Try these seven tips from the ADAMHS board to refocus your self-care efforts for the rest of 2023 and beyond!

1. Regularly schedule time to engage in self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation or a hobby you enjoy.
2. Practice gratitude for the people and events in your life. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or telling important people in your life why you appreciate them.
3. Tune into the emotions you are experiencing. Emotions may be positive, negative or a combination of the two. Call "time outs" for yourself and check in on your feelings. Remember that you're not alone with what you're feeling. You can talk to trusted family and friends about it.
4. Try to understand why you might be experiencing negative thoughts or feelings. Are you expecting too much from yourself? Feeling overwhelmed? Give yourself space to cope in those moments.
5. Monitor your stress level and notice what triggers your stress response. Is it certain people? Specific activities? Have a list of activities to relax. Perhaps this is taking a walk, doing a few minutes of yoga, watching a favorite movie or playing with a pet.
6. Be present. Practice mindfulness and meditation. Try taking a minute to be present in your environment. Take notice of the smells, sounds and sights of the holidays. Notice the differences between the holiday season and other times of the year.
7. Take care of your physical health. Ensure adequate sleep. A nutritious diet is important: try to balance holiday foods and treats with healthy eating.

While coping mechanisms and self-care tactics might be what you need to make it through the holiday season, Crisis Care at Zepf Center provides 24/7 immediate help for emotional stress or mental health issues. 

The Crisis Care Helpline (419.904.CARE) is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by qualified mental health professionals. After making the initial call, the Crisis Care team will assess the situation and connect you or a loved one with the appropriate care. From emergency services to crisis stabilization, you can rest assured that support is available.

For more information about Zepf Center Crisis services, visit zepfcenter.org/crisis-care/.

To view the holiday resource book, visit https://www.adamhscc.org/resources/coping-with-the-holidays-booklet.