Mental Health Tips for Navigating Holiday Gatherings [2025] | Praise Podcast

Listen now | There are several mental health conditions triggered or exacerbated by office parties or holiday gatherings. Tune in for navigational tips!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE (full links at MoMo634.com):

https://momo634.com/p/mental-health-tips-4-navigating-holiday-gatherings-2025

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00:00:02 --> 00:00:02 Hello,

00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 and welcome to Momo 634,

00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 a bite-sized podcast that's chock-full of inspiration,

00:00:09 --> 00:00:10 motivation,

00:00:10 --> 00:00:11 and positivity,

00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 straight from the intersection of faith and mental wellness.

00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Please like, share, and subscribe.

00:00:19 --> 00:00:24 Momo 634, motivational moments just for today.

00:00:33 --> 00:00:38 Here's a list of mental health conditions that could be

00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 activated or exacerbated by

00:00:41 --> 00:00:42 the numerous office parties,

00:00:43 --> 00:00:44 company events,

00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 and holiday gatherings this time of year.

00:00:48 --> 00:00:49 Germophobia.

00:00:50 --> 00:00:54 For those with certain OCD subtypes and other conditions,

00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 shaking hands and or hugging presents an issue.

00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 Given the recent pandemic,

00:01:01 --> 00:01:05 those of us with this issue aren't such outliers.

00:01:05 --> 00:01:09 However, it can still be quite anxiety-producing.

00:01:10 --> 00:01:15 I do carry a hand sanitizer spray made with essential oils

00:01:15 --> 00:01:16 known for their

00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 There are also some that are pre-made that you can purchase.

00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 I'll link some of these oils,

00:01:26 --> 00:01:27 recipes,

00:01:27 --> 00:01:30 and other resources with this episode at Substack.

00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 I love it because not only does it address the germophobia,

00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 but it has since known to support mood issues.

00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 It's not exposure response therapy,

00:01:43 --> 00:01:44 or ERT,

00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 which supposedly is the gold standard for OCD,

00:01:48 --> 00:01:52 because I'm not a clinician, but it does work for me.

00:01:54 --> 00:01:54 For introverts,

00:01:55 --> 00:02:00 those with social anxiety or people with claustrophobia,

00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 some events are just too people-y.

00:02:04 --> 00:02:05 I don't know the name for that,

00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 but that's the situation that some people find themselves in.

00:02:09 --> 00:02:10 It's just too people-y.

00:02:11 --> 00:02:16 Hubby and I have a finely honed nonverbal communication system.

00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 He knows when I've met my people quotient,

00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 and I know when he's ready to leave as well.

00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 Working this out in advance with the people you plan to attend

00:02:26 --> 00:02:27 events with or

00:02:27 --> 00:02:31 coming up with a signal can be helpful if you don't have the

00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 advanced telepathy

00:02:33 --> 00:02:33 experience.

00:02:33 --> 00:02:34 My husband and I do.

00:02:36 --> 00:02:36 Excessive noise.

00:02:38 --> 00:02:43 My ears start to shut down every night around 8.30 p.m.

00:02:44 --> 00:02:49 If you are like me, see if there are quieter areas of the party or venue.

00:02:50 --> 00:02:50 Otherwise,

00:02:51 --> 00:02:56 take breaks to go to the restroom or outside if it's safe to do

00:02:57 --> 00:02:57 so.

00:02:58 --> 00:03:03 Misophonia is defined as being disturbed when people chew

00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 loudly or being attuned

00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 to hearing it when others don't seem to notice.

00:03:09 --> 00:03:13 Holding your hands over your ears for the misophonia is

00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 probably pretty rude and

00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 won't endear you to many,

00:03:17 --> 00:03:23 So maybe increasing your personal boundaries a bit and trying

00:03:23 --> 00:03:25 to move a step or two

00:03:25 --> 00:03:30 further away from those making noises that set your ears off can help.

00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 But how about even leaving your home to go to these events to begin with?

00:03:36 --> 00:03:42 Agoraphobia is often characterized as fear of leaving your home,

00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 but it's a little broader than that.

00:03:46 --> 00:03:50 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,

00:03:50 --> 00:03:51 5th edition,

00:03:51 --> 00:03:52 or DSM-5,

00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 sets forth the criteria for a number of conditions,

00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 and it categorizes agoraphobia in this way.

00:04:01 --> 00:04:06 A marked fear or anxiety about two or more of the following

00:04:06 --> 00:04:07 five situations.

00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 Using public transportation.

00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 Being in open spaces.

00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 Being in enclosed spaces.

00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 e.g.

00:04:16 --> 00:04:16 shops,

00:04:17 --> 00:04:17 theaters,

00:04:17 --> 00:04:18 cinemas,

00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 standing in line or being in a crowd,

00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 being outside the home alone.

00:04:27 --> 00:04:27 Now again,

00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 I'm not a clinician,

00:04:29 --> 00:04:33 and as somebody with a diagnosed anxiety-based condition,

00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 I struggle with some of the examples I've listed in this episode.

00:04:39 --> 00:04:45 Pray before each event and remember this verse from Psalm 94, 19.

00:04:48 --> 00:04:55 When anxiety overwhelms me, your consolation delights my soul.

00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 Perhaps commit it to memory,

00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 and when you're feeling overwhelmed,

00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 just repeat it.

00:05:01 --> 00:05:08 Our meme for today says, you can be gracious and set boundaries.

00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 Many of us struggle this time of year.

00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 There are a number of episodes that you can go back to and

00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 listen that talk about

00:05:17 --> 00:05:18 some of these issues.

00:05:19 --> 00:05:23 Don't let anyone make you feel less than.

00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 It's okay to prioritize your mental health.

00:05:28 --> 00:05:32 Just showing up for a little while is a huge win.

00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 You are not alone.

00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 Thanks for listening.

00:05:39 --> 00:05:43 To have episodes and or the daily Bible verse emailed,

00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 subscribe at momo634.com.

00:05:46 --> 00:05:50 To receive bonus perks and support this podcast,

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00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 check out our line of devotional notebooks,

00:05:57 --> 00:05:58 inspirational wear,

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00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 Have a blessed day.