Navigating the holidays when your child has mental illness or addiction

This time of year can be difficult when you have a child with mental illness or addiction.  Maybe you are wondering how things will go, since there can be varying degrees of unpredictability. 

In the midst of so much uncertainty, the one thing you can do is to give yourself some certainty.  

This can be quite calming because it is something you have control over.  

Because when you focus on trying to control what you have no control over, this will produce more anxiety and stress.  

So, what can you do to give yourself certainty?  Anything that you know you can count on.  Here are some examples – 

💫Take some time for yourself and do a meditation in the morning and remind yourself to take a few minutes during the day to repeat a part of the meditation if you need to.  

💫Spend some time journaling in the morning before you celebrate with family, and know that you can return to your journal for brief periods throughout the day if it feels helpful.  

💫Make yourself a healthy juice or smoothie in the morning and save some extra in the refrigerator to return to throughout the day.  

These are just a few examples, but plan now and come up with some things you can do to take care of yourself and provide yourself with some certainty, stability, and calm.

Wishing you a very happy holiday!

Sending love and light, 

Debbie