Here鈥檚 hoping Santa brings good mental health to all over the holidays.

Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon and District is encouraging North Okanagan residents to make mental health a priority for themselves and those around them.

鈥淲e know that for many people, reality doesn鈥檛 play out like a TV movie and the expectation of the perfect holiday amplifies feelings of isolation, financial strain, or increased family conflict,鈥� said Julia Payson, Vernon and District CMHA executive director. 鈥淭his can particularly be the case for those experiencing loss, those estranged from family, and people who are carrying a lot of the household responsibilities.

鈥淭here are some steps we can all take to mitigate the stress of the holiday season. Keeping things simple and focusing on what is important to you, can help make the holidays enjoyable for yourself too.鈥�

Tips for Holiday Peace of Mind

鈥� Plan ahead and simplify. If you鈥檙e hosting people, try to prepare in advance and reduce how much you expect of yourself. Buy pre-made or easy to prepare food if you can afford it. Then you can enjoy visiting friends, relatives, and coworkers.

鈥� As much as possible, delegate to others, or ask what you can do. One person does not have to cook all the food and wrap all the gifts. Delegate to family members, have potlucks, and reduce how much you ask of yourself if you are the person who typically does the preparation. If you don鈥檛 tend to do as much of the baking, cooking, cleaning, or gift wrapping, take those jobs on.

鈥� Maintain your healthy habits. The same things that keep you mentally healthy throughout the year are still important during the holidays. Whether it鈥檚 a walk or a workout, your mental health is connected to your physical health. Decide when you want to indulge and when you want to maintain your health habits.

鈥� Stay within budget. A call or a visit to tell someone how important they are can be more meaningful than a gift. Our love of our family and friends is not based on the most expensive present. Enjoy free activities like walking or driving around to look at holiday decorations, or making your own decorations or presents.

鈥� Consider why the holidays are important to you. Develop your own meaningful traditions that don鈥檛 have to cost a lot of money or involve traditions that cause you stress. You have the right to feel good during the holidays. Use this time of year to reflect on your own journey.

鈥� Spend time with people that you care about. Surround yourself with the people who you love and who care for you as well. Your chosen family is valid. If you鈥檙e part of a big gathering, invite someone you know is alone to attend. If you find yourself away from loved ones for the holidays, you can join people giving back to community.

鈥� Connect with your community. We all feel better when we contribute to our community. Help at the food bank or mission. Give to a charity that helps those in need. Smile at the people working at the busy stores. Thank the barista.

鈥� Learn stress-busting skills you can use year-round. If the holidays often get you down, and this carries on into the New Year and starts to affect your daily life, you can access help. Talk to your family doctor or check out programs like BounceBack. To learn more, visit.

The season can be especially difficult when we鈥檝e lost someone or have grief connected with the holidays. CMHA offers some tips to help you or someone you know get through a potentially hard time.

Dealing with Holiday Grief

鈥� Talking about the loved one is OK. You don鈥檛 need to tiptoe around your loved one鈥檚 memory 鈥� that will only make it worse. You miss them, and you can talk about them.

鈥� Things won鈥檛 be the same. It鈥檚 normal to feel at odds with yourself and family events when dealing with grief. Try not to hide, but don鈥檛 feel guilty about limiting how many events you attend. Give yourself the space you need.

鈥� Don鈥檛 let other people鈥檚 expectations dictate how your holiday will unfold. If you don鈥檛 feel like doing something this holiday season, don鈥檛 let others force you. If you do want to attend holiday functions, make sure you know your limits. Do whatever you need to do to help yourself.

鈥� Take care of yourself and seek support. Stress, depression, and bodily neglect are not a great mix at any time of the year. Don鈥檛 forget to practice self-care and talk to your friends and family about how you feel. Also, many communities offer support groups for people who are grieving. Being around people who know what you鈥檙e going through can be very comforting.

To learn more about CMHA Vernon鈥檚 services and programs, or to donate, go to .