Dashing through the snow,
on a one horse open sleigh,
o’r fields we go laughing all the way.
Christmas is billed as a happy time where all good things happen and sadness is banished to a backwater. In reality many find it a lonely and stressful time of year. They find it a time of fights, of loneliness and yes even unhappiness. Yet with a little forethought even when we are feeling down or anxious about the whole season we can take the busyness and stress in our stride and easy that toughness on your mental health.
Perhaps the key to dealing with stress and mental health at Christmas is to have a plan. What parts of Christmas mean something for you? Perhaps that Midnight service is key, or maybe it’s the family meal or perhaps its that brisk walk on boxing day to clear the cobwebs. Spend some time thinking about the things you want to be part of this Christmas. Share that with other people so that they know.
Making time for yourself amongst the hustle and bustle of Christmas makes all the difference when it comes to keeping your mental health in check over Christmas. Finding the space to relax, finding time when you can allow your needs to come above others. That might be to read a book, to have a bath or any other task that helps you to feel better.
It can be easy to take on extra pressure at Christmas, getting the house ready, decorating, cooking, present wrapping the list is endless. So get help delegate, and remember you can say no and that does not make you a bad person or a party pooper. It makes you someone who knows what to do to make sure that you enjoy Christmas as well as everyone else.
Taking care of yourself is important so get a little exercise and don’t go wild with party food or alcohol. If you find that you notice your stress or anxiety triggers appear, have a plan to escape and relax to take a break so you can feel better.
So a little preparation goes a long way to preparing for the stress and mental health at Christmas so that you can ‘laugh all the way’