For some people Christmas is their favourite time of year but for many people it is also one of the most stressful times. It is really important that people understand that, if they find Christmas a stressful time, they are not alone in this. A lot of people struggle with the expectation that Christmas is supposed to be a happy time and that they are the odd one out if they find it challenging or difficult to manage. A lot of people experience a lot of loneliness and sadness at this time of year and many people struggle with anxiety, particularly in relation to the various social occasions that are a frequent occurrence during the festive period. The shorter days and the financial pressures associated with this time also impact people’s mental health.
It is therefore important that people make sure they take time for self-care during this period. Taking time each day to engage in an activity they enjoy, such as going for a walk, reading, listening to music, going for a coffee with friends etc. will help people to keep a sense of perspective and balance in their lives during this busy period. If social occasions are anxiety- provoking a person may find that making a plan to attend an occasion for a short set period of time, or go to it with someone they feel comfortable around, may reduce the stress associated with this event. Christmas is often a time of over-indulgence, which can negatively impact a person’s mental health, so it is important to try and eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, consume alcohol in moderation and take gentle exercise where possible.
Taking a mindful approach to Christmas and taking time to slow things down each day and making time for a brief mental and emotional check-in with themselves can also allow people space to make sure they are aware of any difficulties they are experiencing and respond accordingly. It is also important to challenge comparison-making and “should” thinking during this time. People tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves to meet impossible standards and often make assumptions about how well other people are coping. So they may benefit from taking time to explore such thoughts and approach them with curiosity so as to allow them to see things from a more balanced perspective. Remember, there is no “right” way to be during this time and that it is important to be compassionate with oneself during this time of year.
Dr Amy Watchorn
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Adjunct Assistant Professor, UCD School of Psychology
