10 Self-Care Ideas to Try If You're Feeling Sad This Thanksgiving

10 Self-Care Ideas to Try If You’re Feeling Sad This Thanksgiving

November 24, 2020 by nextstep4adhd Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health 0 comments

Holidays can be a time of joy and togetherness, but sometimes holidays can be stressful or even sad. Spending the holiday alone may be the result of conflicting schedules, familial issues, or the financial strain of traveling. This year, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has halted Thanksgiving plans across the globe. Regardless of what’s having you feel a little blue this Thanksgiving, it’s important to focus on the things you are grateful for — and that includes yourself too! Taking time to practice self-care during the holidays can help make your day a little easier.

1. Make Time for Your Favorite Things

Thanksgiving is just one day, but between all the cleaning, cooking, prepping snacks, decorating, it can consume your weekly agenda. This Thanksgiving, allow time for some of your favorite activities. Even it’s just 30 minutes of knitting, working on a new art project, or reading your favorite book — your favorite things can help you feel good. You can also schedule in fun quarantine-safe activities so your household can join in on the fun too. Check out this list of 17 Thanksgiving Day ideas here.

2. Reframe Your Mindset

If you’re missing out on Thanksgiving with your family — because of travel restrictions or work obligations — try to reframe your mindset. Instead of viewing the day as a missed opportunity, try to see your day as a solo staycation, or even as a day of rest and relaxation.

Bottom line: try to look at the day as one of a gained opportunity (for some well-deserved R&R) rather than a loss.

3. Treat Yourself to Your Favorite Foods

You can even reframe what “Thanksgiving Dinner” looks like. You don’t have to recreate your Grandma’s famous roasted turkey if you don’t want. You might prefer spaghetti and meatballs or French toast and bacon — whatever makes your staycation feel complete.

Even if you indulge in a slice of pumpkin pie, don’t skip your veggies! Eating nutrient-dense meals helps to support your mental health. Salmon, chia seeds, walnuts, and avocados are good for your brain too!

4. Stay Active

Exercise is a well-known mood lifter. Here are some ideas to fit a little physical activity into your Thanksgiving schedule:

Take a walk around the block. Not only does this provide fresh scenery, but you also benefit from the sunshine and fresh air.
Turn on a dance workout on YouTube and dance your way to a better mood.
Play fetch with your dog in the yard.

5. Volunteer Your Time

Did you know that volunteering can boost your mood and help fend off the feelings of depression? Studies show that volunteering is a powerful anti-depressant, and even with restrictions this year, you can find ways to volunteer. You might:

Make cards for a nursing home
Offer to walk dogs at an animal shelter
Participate in virtual volunteer opportunities

6. Find Something That Makes You Laugh

Whether you giggle to yourself or let a big guffaw, laughing can be good medicine. According to the experts at Mayo Clinic, laughter can:

Reduce stress levels
Stimulate your heart, lungs, and muscles
Increases endorphin levels in your brain
Relax you
Ease tension in your body

That’s not all, though. Laughter can also boost your immune system, improve your mood, and increase your sense of personal satisfaction. Not too shabby! Treat yourself to a funny movie, sit back, and laugh!

7. Connect with Others

Woman in White Shirt Holding Iphone 6

Even if distance separates you from your loved ones, you can still connect with them. There are many ways to stay connected over the holidays. You can:

Facetime or Zoom while you eat dinner. It’s not the same as dining in person, but you can still share in the moment.
Call a friend or family member and “prep” together. Use your headphones and dice, chop, and bake while engaging in friendly conversation.
Video conference with your extended family and ask everyone to share one thing they are grateful for this year.

8. Start a Gratitude Journal

Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to lift your mood. In fact, writing in a gratitude journal is shown to improve emotional resilience and reduce stress. There are many ways to keep a gratitude journal, but here are some tips:

Journal first thing in the morning to start the day on a positive note
End the day with a quick reflection about things you were grateful for over the course of the day
If your child can’t write yet, she or he can draw pictures instead

Does your child want to journal with you? You can download our free printable Gratitude Journal.

Print out the journal and let your child explore the concept of gratitude. With 50+ pages, your child will have nearly two months of journaling!

9. Listen to Music

Studies have shown that listening to music can lift your mood and reduce the feelings of depression. Music can also lower your levels of stress-related hormones (e.g., cortisol). While Time Magazine reports that “calming music” is subjective, the tracks with a slow tempo, gradual chord progressions, and drawn-out notes have the best relaxing effects.

10. Get Help If You Need It

Even with self-care strategies and Zoom calls to feel connected with friends, sometimes it’s not enough to feel better. If you experience the symptoms of depression or anxiety, don’t brush them off. Anxiety and depression can be treated with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. With the right support and strategies, you can feel better.

Here at Next Step 2 Mental Health, we provide comprehensive mental health care for children (and adults too!). Whether you are just experiencing depression/anxiety for the first time this year, or you’ve been struggling a while, we can help. Call 502-339-2442 or send us a message to request more information.