Typically, the festive season is a joyous occasion and a time for celebration, but it can equally be an extremely busy and demanding time that often puts extra pressure on us whether socially, financially or emotionally. For some, it is a time where they acutely feel the loss of loved ones and feelings of loneliness.
The festive period can affect your mental health in many ways and can bring up feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, stressed and again this year, uncertainty of the pandemic.
Our Thrive wellbeing team has compiled a list of tips to help you look after your mental health this Christmas.
Realistic expectations
It is easy to get carried away with the expectations of a perfect Christmas and everything that goes with it. However, this can cause disappointment and impact our self-esteem if it doesn’t turn out how we hoped.
Be realistic about what you can expect from the festive season and avoid unhealthy comparisons with others. Create your own Christmas agenda for how you want to spend your time, focusing on a couple of things that are most important to you.
Take a break
The Christmas period can be the one time of year where we can truly take a break from the demands of day-to-day life. It is essential for our mental wellbeing to have some time-out to help prevent stress and feelings of being overwhelmed.
Take this time to rest and restore your energy especially if you are feeling particularly drained. Make sure you set time aside to be by yourself if you need it and engage in activities that help you relax and unwind. Christmas is a time of compassion and giving, so why not indulge in some self-compassion and treat yourself.
Reflect
As the year draws to a close, you can quickly fall into the trap of thinking about everything you didn’t achieve and all those forgotten resolutions and goals. Try not to be too hard on yourself as you begin to reflect on the year that has passed.
Accept the year for what it was and acknowledge the (big and small) things you have achieved and where you are now.
Say no
Leading up to and during Christmas you can find yourself inundated with social engagements, invites, and being surrounded by people. If you are feeling uncomfortable or unsettled with the incoming invitations, the key is to give yourself permission to say no.
You may want to limit your social interactions and while it is important to maintain some social connection it is imperative that you set clear boundaries with yourself on how much interaction you want to have.
Balance your sense of social obligation against your need for self-care and time by yourself.
Healthy habits
The temptation to overindulge is ever present at Christmas - the few extra tipples, lounging on the couch watching Christmas movies or over-doing it on the mince pies and rich food. Overindulging can cause your motivation levels to diminish and make you feel sluggish and not ‘yourself’. Alcohol may make you feel relaxed at first, but it is a depressant which can cause low mood and irritability.
Strive to maintain some balance across the festive period if you can.
Maintaining a relatively healthy diet and getting some exercise will give your mental health a much-needed boost. Get outdoors, wonder at the Christmas lights and decorations in your area or head out on a nature walk, it will do you a world of good.
It can be quite difficult to maintain your usual routine over the holidays too. The best way to retain some semblance of routine and structure is keeping up a healthy sleep pattern. Sleep is an essential component to not only positive mental health but also our physical health.
Talk to someone
The expectations of the festive season can take its toll and the pressure to have a good time can be overwhelming.
How we feel can become all-consuming. If you are struggling it is important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. Your family and friends are your best support system, reach out to someone you feel comfortable disclosing your feelings to.
If Christmas is a hard time for you, it's important to remember that you are not alone. Help is here if you need it. The Institute’s wellbeing hub, Thrive, provides an array of mental health supports to members and students. Whether you need a listening ear, wellbeing advice or professional counselling, we are here for you.
You can contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294
Merry Christmas!
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