Self-Harm and Overcoming Post-Thanksgiving Stressors

Besides stuffing your face with mashed potatoes and turkey, Thanksgiving time can be difficult for many. For some, traveling causes anxiety and since Thanksgiving is the most traveled time of the year, emotions can be at an all time high. Sometimes being around family can be nerve-racking, especially if you don’t see them that often. Many self-harmers lack confidence and have body image insecurities. Therefore, being surrounded by food may also become stressful.

With Thanksgiving being over, there can’t possibly be any more stressors to deal with, right?

Wrong.

Self-Injury: Family, Food and Frazzled Nerves

During the years of my self-injury cutting, family gatherings weren’t always easy. I’ve always had a very supportive, energetic extended family and was always thankful for that. However, I was jealous of their intelligence, good looks, athletic abilities and the fact that they all lived close to one another. During family gatherings, if I felt as if I was being left out or made fun of, I’d become overwhelmed with emotions and find something to use to cut myself with.

Luckily, I’ve learned to embrace their joking remarks and have turned away from using sharp objects as a coping skill.

Food can also trigger anxiety for those struggling with mental health related issues. After eating, the feeling of being full can bring forward the feeling of being fat. That can lead to growing depressed or angry which can lead to self-injurious behaviors. Sometimes, being surrounded by so much food and cause so much anxiety that you have trouble eating anything at all because you fear gaining weight or looking a certain way.

These are fears that almost every human being has, but the right coping skills can make a huge difference.

Find Those Holiday Self-Harm Coping Skills

Now that the dishes are washed and holiday music is being played on every radio station, take a moment to find some things you can do for you.

If you feel as if you ate more than your body could handle (which I definitely did), find some Zumba, kickboxing or Cross-Fit classes in your area. Push yourself to get to those classes and you will feel cleansed and energized for the day. Yes, it is tough to get your butt up and to the gym, but find a kind of exercise that works for you: walking the dog, Pilates, video workouts. Find something that makes you happy and does not add a stressor to your life.

For those who live in an area where snow is common and roads are slick, make a playlist for your car when you are nervous about driving. I do not like to drive in any kind of weather and with the roads becoming icier by the day, I’d rather listen to a good, calm song instead of my tires twisting on black ice.

Many people struggle with seasonal depression, including some self-harmers. If you are one of these people, change up your living space. Whether it is your college dorm room or your apartment, decorate the area with bright, festive signs and light some candles to get the atmosphere moving. By changing yours surroundings, you may actually change your mindset.

And during the holiday season, we all need a positive mindset.

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