Health
With many of us feeling the pressure to make it perfect, here’s how to stay stress-free
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — except, for many people, it’s not.
Whether or not Christmas is part of your life, your mental health might be affected by it happening around you.
If you feel pressure to be in the festive spirit 24/7, Stephen Buckley, head of information at mental health charity Mind, says: ‘It’s OK if you’re not.’
If you find Christmas triggering and stressful, Grace
McMahon, Life Coach at beingwellfamily.com, has the following coping strategies…
Manage your expectations
‘We often put extra pressure on ourselves to have fun, enjoy the festive period, and feel good all the time.
‘But our mood fluctuates all year round. Accept that you won’t always feel swell, that there’ll be low moods and grumpy communication — then, when it does hit, we can be more forgiving.
‘Take a moment of gratitude when the mood is buzzing and have compassion when it begins to ebb.
‘Added pressure and unmeetable expectations will only make us feel more stressed.’
Don’t overplan
‘Many of us find having a plan allows us to feel less stressed, and Christmas can feel as if it requires a protocol for every possible situation. But with a plan comes pressure to stick to it. ‘Take that perfectionist pressure off by planning just to have some fun.’
Ease financial anxiety
‘Set a realistic budget that suits your finances, so you won’t overspend and be honest with those around you.
‘Tell your family that things can’t be too extravagant, ask them to understand the difficulty of financial worry to stop them from accidentally putting pressure on you.
‘If you know you’re not seeing friends or family until after Christmas, shop for them in the sales. And remember it’s the thought that counts at Christmas.
‘Enjoy the time you spend together, not the money.’
Manage your social life…
‘The hustle and bustle of the festive season is chaotic and stressful. We love seeing family and friends, but make time for yourself. You might have to schedule it in around other plans and parties, or just enjoy a quiet moment during the day to gather your thoughts.
‘Socialising is draining, so make time for a balance of alone time to recover.’
…and mind how you use social media
‘Be intentional with your social media use. We know we only see the good on things like Instagram and Facebook, but while we’re scrolling through, it can be easy to forget. We like to see what other people are up to, what their Christmases look like, how people celebrate, so we don’t need to avoid it. But if you find yourself mindlessly scrolling, comparing yourself and your Christ
