Do you struggle with your mental health over the Christmas period? Here’s 6 tips that could help you cope with the holidays.
Many people find the Christmas period stressful or lonely, especially if they have a mental health condition. There is also commonly increased worry about money during this time.
If mental health is something you struggle with, the pressure to be happy in the season of merriment and cheer can make it an overwhelming time. Know that you aren’t alone!
Your mental health should always be a top priority. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can cope at Christmas.
1. Do Christmas the way YOU want
Not everyone likes Christmas – and that’s fine. Christmas also isn’t celebrated by everyone, commonly due to religious beliefs. It’s key to remember that Christmas looks different to everyone for many reasons.
Take the pressure of everything you should or shouldn’t be doing over Christmas off your shoulders, and do what you want to do.
It’s ok to say no. If you don’t feel up to joining an activity or event, you don’t have to, but think about your reasoning too. Sometimes it’s nice to make the effort to get involved and you’ll be glad you did, but you know your limitations and where you’ll have difficulty. Do what you think is right for you and your mental health.
2. Think ahead and plan
This can mean two things. You can think ahead of the Christmas holidays and plan what you might struggle with, what you want to avoid, what you want to do instead etc, to make sure you have your coping methods and support systems in place.
If it helps, you can also look ahead, rather than behind you. Instead of contemplating this year, think about next year and what you’re looking forward to. Maybe you can start to think of some new year’s resolutions?
3. Limit social media use
Social media can be hard on your mental health anytime of the year, but especially at Christmas when others are sharing their fun online. Consider logging off or limiting your social media notifications, and finding something else to do instead of endlessly scrolling.
Important: remember that everyone has different lives on and off of the internet. People usually only show the best bits from their life, so what you see isn’t always a true representation.
4. Make time for fun
Plan some fun into the holidays! Whether you do something with friends or just yourself, doing something that you enjoy is something to look forward to.
This is also a common tip for those with strained family relationships. Taking a break and doing something you enjoy can help make things less overwhelming.
5. Take care of yourself
There’s a reason a balanced diet, enough sleep and exercise are always recommended for your mental health. They don’t fix everything, but they make a big difference to the way you feel.
Taking care of yourself also means not being too hard on yourself. Christmas is usually shown to be a time of happiness, but that doesn’t mean you have to force yourself to be full of positivity.
6. Reach out and get help
Find someone you trust and talk through what you’re feeling. Sometimes just sharing your emotions with someone can take a weight off of your shoulders, and you might be given a different perspective to consider.
Remember: there is always someone to talk to. If you don’t have a family member or friend you feel comfortable talking to, there are services like the Samaritans that run over the Christmas period.
To contact the Samaritans, you can call this free number day or night, 116 123, or email email jo@samaritans.org. It’s confidential and calling the number won’t appear on your phone bill if that’s a worry for you.
You can also visit Mind to find links to places you can get support for many different reasons you might be struggling this Christmas.
Click the button below to find more mental health advice and resources. If you scroll to the bottom of that page, you’ll also find links to more support and helplines.
More Mental Health Help
