Explains how the period around Christmas and new year might affect your mental health. Gives tips on how to cope and suggestions for supporting someone else.
If you find Christmas a difficult time of year, this page has some tips to help you get through it:
"I try not to think too much about Christmas. If it turns out to be good then that's a bonus, if not then at least I haven't got myself worked up over nothing!"
"I don't really celebrate Christmas and always enjoy taking the day as time just for me, a whole day of self-care and selfishness!"
Think about what might be difficult about Christmas for you, and if there's anything that might help you cope. It might be useful to write this down. For example:
"[My advice is to] take your time. Christmas can be a very busy time of year, if you need a break don't feel bad about taking one."
"I'm trying to be kind to myself, too, like making myself a self-care stocking with things that will help."
"It had helped me to be on Mind's online community in December. It was a nearly Christmas-free place. People knew that we all have to deal with a lot during this time of the year in our own worlds and it was peaceful just to talk."
If you're struggling this Christmas, you may want to find support for your mental health. There are a few ways that you can do this:
This information was published in December 2020. We will revise it in 2021.
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