Coping with Christmas

Coping with Christmas!

As December flies by and we get nearer to Christmas, we can feel a huge array of emotions: excitement, joy, gratefulness, panic, anxiety and overwhelm. It can be such a challenging time of year for so many reasons, which is why it’s important we think about looking after our mental health as well as our physical health.

At Promote Mental Health we offer self-care workshops throughout the year. These have been invaluable in many settings, particularly for education and nursing staff. Here we focus on tips for all of us on surviving the Christmas Chaos.

• Lower your expectations
• Communicate your needs
• Plan ahead
• Don't over stretch
• Remember the basics

Lower your expectations

Be realistic about your expectations for the festive period.Things will change and might not go to plan, so if we have huge expectations of having a Disney Christmas, we'll end up disappointed. Often, we get caught up in finding the perfect gift or producing that perfect meal, when really what’s most important is the thought behind that gift and the time we all spend together. Lowing your expectations, living in the moment and practicing gratitude can help ease high expectations.

Communicate your needs

Communication is key to successful relationships and connecting fully with other. Try to communicate what you need over Christmas to avoid upset and disappointment. Say 'no' when you need to. ‘No’ is a single sentence and should not need to be followed up by a reason. If you feel you need to be honesty, explain you need some time out or some rest. Set clear boundaries, so others are clear about what you are expecting too.

Reach out for help if you need it. There is always someone there to support you even if you are feeling isolated and alone. You can call the Samaritans any time on 116 123, available 24/7 365 days of the year. If you would rather text then text SHOUT to 85258 for a supportive chat.

Plan ahead

Schedule in fun activities, these don’t have to be expensive. Try a long walk, meeting family and friends or snuggling up to watch a film. Remember to schedule quieter days and time out too. This time of year can be overwhelming, we don't want to reach New Year completely exhausted.

Don’t over stretch

Consider your budget for presents, food and entertaining. With the cost-of-living crisis we all need to be careful about over spending. Don't overstretch your budget or yourself. January is hard enough as it is without having to recharge and restock.

Remember the basics.

Have fun but remember that the basics are still important for keeping us well. Our sleep patterns can get disrupted by over eating, staying up late and drinking alcohol. We must remember to maintain our exercise levels too. It can be tempting to let is all go, but we can end up feeling sluggish and grumpy. Sleep and exercise will help balance out any over indulgence.

Self-care is about making yourself a priority whatever your life circumstance. It’s about bringing our lives back into balance. Remember to look after yourself, so you are able to enjoy Christmas and be there for others.

What will you put in place to survive the Christmas Chaos?

If you are interested in our self-care workshops for your business in 2024, get in touch at claire@promotementalhealth.com

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