The festive season can be a time of joy. However, for many people, it can also bring its fair share of stress and emotional challenges. It's important to acknowledge these feelings and take steps to care for your mental health. Here are some tips to help you navigate the holiday season with greater ease:
Manage Expectations & Avoid Comparisons
Christmas often comes with high expectations for happiness, family harmony, and lavish social gatherings; often idealised versions of Christmas are portrayed in adverts and on social media. These often don't reflect reality and can make us feel bad about ourselves. Try to take breaks from social media to avoid having unrealistic expectations for the festive period. Also, try to set realistic goals and communicate openly with your loved ones about what you can and cannot do.
Plan Ahead
Plan your activities to avoid last-minute stress. Make a list of what needs to be done and prioritise tasks. Delegating responsibilities can also help reduce the load. Remember, it’s okay to say no to extra commitments if they feel overwhelming.
Budget
It’s so easy to overspend at Christmastime. Are there any unnecessary gifts that you buy? Could you speak to friends or family and agree not to buy each other gifts? Instead, why not arrange to meet up for a coffee or go for a walk? Good friends and family will understand that things are difficult for you.
You could make a budget plan, so you know what you have to spend and even start to save for next year. You could even set yourself a challenge with friends/family where you buy pre-loved gifts from the charity shop - great for your wallet, the environment and helping a good cause!
Medication
If you take medication, make sure you have enough for the whole festive period as pharmacy opening times will change over the bank holidays.
Stick to Healthy Habits
As well as enjoying festive treats (which is perfectly normal!) try to maintain some balance in your diet. Regular exercise, even if it's a short walk, can significantly boost your mood and energy levels. Adequate sleep is also crucial for mental health, so try to stick to a regular sleep schedule.
Create a Support System
Reach out to friends and family who support and uplift you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to talk about your feelings with someone you trust. If professional help is needed, don’t wait to seek it – contact your care team if you need to. If you need urgent help for your mental health,
get help from 111 online or call 111 and select option 2 for a 24 hour service.
Take Time for Yourself
Christmas can be a very busy time so take moments to breathe and relax. Engage in activities that bring you joy and peace, whether it’s reading a book, listening to music, going for a walk, doing some arts & crafts, taking a warm bath, or practising mindfulness and meditation – doing what you enjoy is great for your wellbeing.
Set Boundaries
The holiday season can be filled with family gatherings, which can often be overwhelming or can even bring up old tensions. Set clear boundaries to protect your mental space. It’s okay to step away from situations that make you uncomfortable.
Remember What Matters
Reflect on what truly matters to you during this season. It’s not about the perfect gift or the most elaborate dinner that brings happiness but the connections with loved ones (family and friends) and the meaningful moments shared. Focus on gratitude and the small joys each day.
Be Kind to Yourself
Practice self-compassion. It’s okay to feel a range of emotions during the holidays. Be gentle with yourself and recognise that it’s perfectly normal to have both good and challenging days. Let yourself experience your own feelings. Even if they don't match what's going on around you, they're still valid. For example, if you don't feel like celebrating Christmas when everyone else does, take time out. Do something to forget that it's Christmas or distract yourself. For example, you could watch a film or read a book that's set in the summer. You could also try learning a new skill or doing some crafts or puzzles.
Try Something New
Try out some new traditions if any of your previous traditions don't feel possible this year - if they're too expensive or too difficult to manage. These new ideas could be a one-off, or they could become part of Christmas in the future. Christmas can be anything you want it to be.
Loneliness at Christmas
Christmas and New Year holidays can be a very lonely time for people. There are many things you can do to alleviate loneliness. One of the most effective ways to alleviate loneliness and improve mental health is to talk to someone about it. This can be a friend, family member or a mental health professional. If you can’t physically see someone, then a phone or video call, text message or email can all really help.
It’s always worth checking out the local press and online communities to see what events are running over the festive period - there are many charities which offer gatherings over the festive period so it’s always worth checking out what's on to see if there is anything you could access. Darlington Connect has a wealth of information on local events and charities which could be of huge benefit to you.
Take part in activities that you enjoy - reading a book, listening to music, or taking up a new hobby. Spending time outdoors in green spaces, exercising, and listening to podcasts and radio shows can help boost your mood and occupy your mind. Volunteering in your local community, such as working with a local charity, is a really powerful way to do something meaningful and connect with people.
It’s important to remember that it’s not unusual to feel lonely at some point and that there is no shame in seeking help or connecting with people to tackle it. If you’re struggling with long-term loneliness, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone for help. There are several resources and support available to help you through this difficult time.
You can get more information on loneliness here.
For Further Support:
Darlington Mind offers a range of group activities where you can socialise, be creative or learn new skills, such as emotional resilience classes, art, gardening, creative writing, walking or social drop-in sessions, all of which are design to provide positive distraction, focus and chance to meet like-minded people and make friends. To find out more information, please contact us via the following options:
Email: contactus@darlingtonmind.com or Tel: 01325 283169 Mobile: 07572 888084. See our services and support page.
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas, whatever that looks like for you.