Feeling lonely this holiday season? Here are some tips and resources to help care for your mental health

Winter and the holiday season can lead to stress and even depression during more normal times, but this year, COVID-19 and the restrictions that come with it can be especially difficult.

To help you face the holiday season during a pandemic, KION has compiled a list of tips and resources to help you take care of your mental health and have some cheer..

To prevent holiday stress and depression this year, the Mayo Clinic recommends taking these actions:

• Acknowledge your feelings, whether that means grieving for a loved one who has died or feeling alone. The Mayo Clinic says you should let yourself cry or express your emotions and not force yourself to feel happy.
• If you feel lonely, reach out to others. You could contact community members, take part in virtual events or join online support groups. The Mayo Clinic says volunteering can also help to lift spirits and create new bonds.
• Be realistic about traditions and rituals that may change as families and circumstances change. Recommendations include deciding on a few traditions to hold on to, but be open to creating new ones and finding new ways to celebrate together even while you are apart.
• Try to set aside differences with family members and friends. The discussions can be saved for later.
• Sticking to a budget can help to prevent stress around finances. Some gift buying alternatives include donating to a charity in someone's name, giving homemade gifts or starting a family gift exchange.
• Plan ahead for days that you can do shopping, baking and connecting to avoid last minute scrambling.
• Say no when you need to. Saying yes when you want to say no can leave you feeling overwhelmed or resentful.
• Don't give up healthy habits. Avoid the guilt and stress by having a healthy snack before holiday meals; continue to eat healthy meals; get enough sleep; stay active; avoid too much tobacco, alcohol or drug use and adjust the amount of time you spend on social media.
• Take a break and make time for yourself, even if it's just 15 minutes alone without distractions. Some ways to do that include taking a walk, listening to soothing music or reading a book.
• Get help from the professionals if you need it. If you feel persistently sad or anxious, feel physical symptoms, are not able to sleep, feel irritable or hopeless and are unable to do routine chores for a while, the Mayo Clinic recommends talking to a doctor or mental health professional.

Mental Health Resources

Frontline Workers: The National Alliance on Mental Illness has dedicated a whole section of its website to help for frontline workers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources are profession-specific, and services offered include peer support, techniques for building resilience, professional support and support for family members. Read more from NAMI here.

For Veterans: Call the Veteran's Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or text 8388255.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Free, confidential crisis counseling offered 24 hours a day every day, and you do not need to be in crisis to call. The phone number is 1-800-273-8255.

Crisis Text Line: If you do not want to talk on the phone, there is also a text line for mental health support. Text "10-18" or "SCRUBS" to 741741.

Safe Call Now: This is a 24-hour crisis referral service for public safety employees, emergency services personnel and their families. Call 1-206-459-3020 or 1-877-230-6060.

Monterey County

See a list of local prevention and early intervention resources and supports here, including information about resource centers, family support, school support, culturally specific services, services for seniors and more.

Bereavement Support: Find resources for people who have lost loved ones to suicide here.

Maternal Mental Health: Being a mom isn't easy. Find resources for maternal mental health here.

Visit NAMI Monterey County's website here.

You may also call 211 to be connected to services.

Santa Cruz County

Children and Teens: Learn more about services available for children and teens here.

Adult Mental Health Services: Learn more about the county's program here.

Visit NAMI Santa Cruz County's website here.

San Benito County

Learn more about the resources available through San Benito County Behavioral Health here.

Other Circumstances

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or text "LOVEIS" to 22522.

National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or text 1-800-422-4453.

National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 1-800-656-4673 or chat online here.