3431: 5 Tips for Better Mental Health this Holiday Season AND Celebrate the Season with Live Happy’s Holiday Happy Acts

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_00]: This is Optimal Living Daily, 5 Tips for Better Mental Health this Holiday Season AND Celebrate the Season with Live Happys Holiday Happy Acts, both from LiveHappy.com

[00:00:12] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'm Justin Malik, the guy who's been reading to you every day including holidays since 2015. And I'm going to keep that up so let's get right to it and continue optimizing your life.

[00:00:25] [SPEAKER_00]: 5 Tips for Better Mental Health this Holiday Season by Paul Fitzgerald with LiveHappy.com

[00:00:33] [SPEAKER_00]: For many people, the holiday season is far from happy. Not many people come from fairytale families and others are isolated and lonely, feeling they don't have anyone who truly cares about them around. Add to this the number of people struggling with mental health problems like depression and anxiety, and the expectations of the season become even more difficult to manage.

[00:00:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Whichever of these groups you fall within, I offer a few suggestions to help make this holiday season a hopefully happier or at a minimum, easier one.

[00:01:08] [SPEAKER_00]: 1. Take Time to Connect

[00:01:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Social connections are good for your mental health. Share the important moments and stories of your year. Ask questions and create space to really listen and understand the people you are with. You might be surprised by what you hear.

[00:01:26] [SPEAKER_00]: 2. Take a break from social media and perhaps from technology in general.

[00:01:32] [SPEAKER_00]: The last 20 years have seen a fundamental decline in the quality of interpersonal relationships as we have moved too much of our lives onto online platforms.

[00:01:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Put away your phone, stay off technology when you are with friends or family, and spend time in the physical world. If you feel bored, don't reach for your phone in distraction. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or just sit with the feeling.

[00:01:57] [SPEAKER_00]: 3. Think about who you are connecting with this holiday season.

[00:02:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Not all social connections are good for your mental health. You know what the people around you are really like, who is going to be supportive, and who will just drag you down further.

[00:02:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Don't be afraid to let this guide whom you spend meaningful time with, and as importantly, with whom you don't.

[00:02:20] [SPEAKER_00]: 4. Discover what it is you truly want to do for the holidays.

[00:02:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Holidays don't mean the same thing to everyone. If you are uncertain, spend some time reflecting on what is important to you at this time of year.

[00:02:34] [SPEAKER_00]: How can you express your values? What will be meaningful? What is your way of acknowledging the end of the year and of nurturing your relationships?

[00:02:43] [SPEAKER_00]: If your thing is to cherish others through food, embrace this. Be the family cook and throw yourself into it with all your passion.

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_00]: If it is to be the entertainer, be so. Tell stories and do so with enthusiasm.

[00:02:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Whatever it is, ensure it is what is true of you.

[00:03:02] [SPEAKER_00]: 5. Make sure you find a way to reset and recharge.

[00:03:07] [SPEAKER_00]: For some, this will come through social reconnection, but certainly not everyone.

[00:03:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Others may need to be in nature, or at least outside somewhere pleasant.

[00:03:16] [SPEAKER_00]: If this is you, make the effort to do so.

[00:03:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Bring along someone who you really want to be with, or not.

[00:03:23] [SPEAKER_00]: You choose what you need to do.

[00:03:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Fostor connection and cultivate happiness.

[00:04:01] [SPEAKER_00]: What are happy acts?

[00:04:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Happy acts are small, intentional acts of kindness aimed at bringing joy to others.

[00:04:09] [SPEAKER_00]: They can be as simple as complimenting a stranger, writing a thoughtful note, or surprising a friend with a kind gesture.

[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_00]: The beauty of happy acts is that they don't require grand gestures or significant resources, just a willingness to spread positivity and care.

[00:04:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Why happy acts matter during the holidays.

[00:04:29] [SPEAKER_00]: The holidays can be a difficult time for many, especially those who feel isolated, overwhelmed, or burdened by life's challenges.

[00:04:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Holiday happy acts seeks to uplift individuals and communities by encouraging people to be intentional about spreading joy.

[00:04:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Studies show that acts of kindness not only benefit the recipient, but also boost the well-being of the giver.

[00:04:53] [SPEAKER_00]: It's a win-win that creates a ripple of positivity.

[00:04:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Simple Ideas for Holiday Happy Acts

[00:05:00] [SPEAKER_00]: If you're wondering where to start, here are a few easy yet meaningful happy acts to try.

[00:05:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Number one, send holiday cards to local animal shelters, thanking the staff for their hard work and dedication to caring for animals.

[00:05:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Number two, assemble care packages with essentials, like socks, gloves, snacks, and hygiene products, and distribute them to local homeless individuals or shelters.

[00:05:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Number three, find a local charity or organization that helps families during the holidays and sponsor a family by providing gifts, food, or essentials to help them celebrate.

[00:05:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Number four, set up a hot cocoa stand in your neighborhood and offer free cups of cocoa to passers-by.

[00:05:47] [SPEAKER_00]: It's a simple way to spread warmth and cheer.

[00:05:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Number five, gather gently used winter clothing, like coats, scarves, and gloves from your home, and donate them to a local charity or organization that helps those in need.

[00:06:06] [SPEAKER_00]: You just listened to the posts titled,

[00:06:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Five Tips for Better Mental Health This Holiday Season, and

[00:06:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Celebrate the Season with Live Happy's Holiday Happy Acts, both from livehappy.com.

[00:06:18] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'll be right back with my commentary.

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[00:07:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you to Live Happy, the first article was written by Paul Fitzgerald,

[00:07:30] [SPEAKER_00]: a professor of psychiatry in Australia, actually.

[00:07:33] [SPEAKER_00]: I think it can be tough sometimes to feel like you have a choice for the holidays,

[00:07:38] [SPEAKER_00]: which can add to the pressure and stress of it all.

[00:07:41] [SPEAKER_00]: But at the very least, there is still some downtime where we can choose what will work best for us.

[00:07:47] [SPEAKER_00]: So for example, if you have to spend time with someone or some people that you don't really get along with,

[00:07:56] [SPEAKER_00]: maybe think about making a list of what it is you truly love to do or have happen for the season

[00:08:02] [SPEAKER_00]: and work to make just one a reality.

[00:08:06] [SPEAKER_00]: That reflection that he mentioned reflecting on what is most important to you can help with this.

[00:08:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Because while a lot of it might feel out of our control,

[00:08:15] [SPEAKER_00]: there's definitely some time available that is within our control.

[00:08:19] [SPEAKER_00]: So at least we can focus on that to make the best out of the situation.

[00:08:24] [SPEAKER_00]: It can be tricky, but hopefully this one gave you some ideas if you're struggling a bit this holiday season.

[00:08:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Let me know how it goes.

[00:08:31] [SPEAKER_00]: But with that, we've reached the end for today.

[00:08:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for being here.

[00:08:35] [SPEAKER_00]: I hope listening every day is able to add and compound your life like it has for mine.

[00:08:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Have a great rest of your day and I'll be back tomorrow as usual.

[00:08:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Where your optimal life awaits.

[00:08:45] [SPEAKER_00]: My thoughts may be, but it might make it a different way, the way.

[00:08:45] [SPEAKER_00]: But with that, you know your thoughts may bewachs there.

[00:08:45] But with that, I guess you may be the time to stop checking.

[00:08:46] Thank you.