Before, during and after the holiday season can be stressful, especially if you’re enrolled in a mental health treatment program. Studies find that 38% of people feel their stress levels increase during the holiday season.
A treatment program such as a Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP) can provide support and flexibility during a busy holiday season. Enrolling in a vPHP allows you to still receive supportive care, but you can receive it from the comfort of your home and on a schedule that works for you.
Today’s blog will explore five tips to plan and enjoy this holiday season, without disrupting your recovery.
1. Communicate your treatment schedule and needs in advance
It may be important to notify your friends, family, or loved ones about your vPHP schedule. But, be sure to set boundaries around treatment times and self-care. Once you’ve successfully enrolled in vPHP, it’s important to be present and on time for your various programming sessions during the day.
Additionally, you may want to notify your clinicians if you plan to miss any sessions because of holiday gatherings. Be sure to speak with your therapist about whatever emotions the season brings up for you. Your therapist is here to support you through this season.
2. Prioritize routine maintenance
It’s important to keep up and follow through with your programming, therapy, psychiatry sessions and group activities. In your vPHP, you may learn ways to build structure and routine, which you can use to set and follow a daily routine. It’s important to maintain a proper sleep schedule, eat nutritious, filling meals and keep taking any medications you are prescribed. Your clinician is here to support your well-being and help you feel grounded and cared for this holiday season.
3. Modify holiday traditions to fit your needs
You may need to adapt your celebrations to avoid triggers or overwhelming yourself. For example, suggest smaller gatherings, or virtual meetups, if you still want to celebrate the season with others. If you are feeling uneasy about attending a holiday gathering, you might let a trusted friend know that you may need to check in with them during the day.
If you don’t feel comfortable spending time with others this holiday season, but still want to be present, spend some time writing holiday cards to your friends and loved ones.
4. Set realistic expectations and cultivate self-compassion
The holidays may feel different this year, and that’s OK. By setting realistic expectations, you’re reducing the likelihood of overwhelming yourself. There is nothing wrong with saying no to a holiday gathering to avoid overexerting yourself.
Be proud of your progress, celebrate even the smallest wins and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Enrolling in any treatment program can be difficult, and you’re committing to bettering yourself during one of the most stressful times of the year.
5. Utilize vPHP resources for extra support
In a vPHP, you will learn new coping strategies and how to implement them into your daily life. You can apply these tools you’ve learned in treatment during holiday gatherings. This can include practicing a calming phrase or breathing exercise to use if a situation gets tense.
If you’re feeling a bit lonely, connect with peers in your vPHP support group sessions. If you feel comfortable, you can “virtually” get together with your peers and share holiday traditions, stories or pictures.
6. Plan for success
Thinking about how you will handle stressful situations during the holidays can help you prepare for if you do encounter emotional triggers. Making a plan for how you will handle stressful situations may help you successfully navigate them. This might include setting a time limit for how long you’ll stay at a holiday gathering or stepping outside for a short walk if you begin to feel overwhelmed.
7. Schedule time for self-care
If you find yourself having downtime this holiday season, try implementing mindfulness and reflection techniques. If you enjoy journaling, you might want to try implementing a “daily reflection” at the end of your day. You could ask yourself, “What went well today?” or, “What challenged me today?” Another coping strategy you could practice is labeling your emotional triggers, which can support emotion regulation.
Planning a comforting activity for after a holiday gathering or treatment session can help you implement self-care in your routine. You might enjoy watching a favorite show or journaling to give yourself a break from your vPHP schedule.
Lightfully’s clinicians can help you plan your holiday
Planning your holiday and vPHP support can help balance your holiday season and recovery. At Lightfully, our priority is you. Precision Care Model (PCM) is the framework of everything we do. PCM allows our experts to craft a fully personalized treatment plan that fits your specific schedule, needs and treatment goals. Stay connected through your vPHP, and prioritize your health and well-being this holiday season!
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
