December can be stressful: Look after your mental health this Christmas
17th December 2019
By Chelsea Hanna
For many, Christmas is a time of fun, laughter and spending quality time with loved ones. However, it’s important to remember not everyone feels the same over the festive season. From the stress of all the family to those who have lost family, for many, Christmas can be an overwhelming time. This can have a direct impact on one’s mental health and wellbeing. Research by the charity, Mind, found that the pressure to have “the perfect Christmas” leaves one in 10 people feeling unable to cope (Katie O’Malley, 2019). Therefore, it’s important to look after yourself and others over this period.
Making time for yourself– It’s okay to take time for yourself out of the busyness and chaos of the Christmas schedule. Giving your mind and body a breather can be just what you need if you feel the stress is getting to you. This doesn’t necessarily mean booking holiday away, (whilst it may be tempting) but taking a little time out of the day to yourself and doing something which makes you happy. On a similar note, avoid taking on extra work or activities you know you don’t have the time for, or cannot handle.
Keeping active and healthy– While many are guilty of overindulging at Christmas, staying active or doing a little exercise can be good for only our physical, but also our mental health. This doesn’t have to be a chore, do something you enjoy to keep you active. Similarly, it’s completely normal to treat yourself over Christmas; however, keeping an eye on what we are eating and especially drinking is important. The consequences of excessive drinking can have detrimental effects to our health. Although December can mean more parties and socialising, it’s just like any other month with regards to our physical health. Remember, everything in moderation.
Keeping connected with others- It’s easy to get caught up in the fast paced hustle of the holidays meaning we can forget the things that are important to us. Keeping in touch with those close to us can help maintain your mental health. Whilst keeping this in mind, it is important to remember not everyone has close support systems this time of the year, so looking out for those who may need or want this communication is crucial.
Lastly, remember to talk. If you need to let something off your chest or you want a little extra help, don’t be afraid to talk to those around you. By sharing the physical load of Christmas, we also share the mental load. Similarly, strike up as conversation with those you who you think may be struggling too.
References
https://www.gov.im/media/1349896/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health-at-christmas.pdf
https://www.humber.nhs.uk/news/Managing-your-mental-health-at-Christmas.htm