How to Look After Your Mental Health this Festive Season

For many people, the festive period isn’t necessarily the season to be jolly. Whether or not the festivities are part of your life, your mental health might be affected by what is happening around you, as it may add to the pressure and expectations you experience.

A2015 survey conducted by Mind showed that more than a third of people with mental health problems (1100 surveyed) have self-harmed to cope with the pressures of the festive season. Far more worrying is the fact that 45% also considered taking their own life over the festive period. Reasons given for struggling included getting into debt (41%), feeling lonely (83%) and stress (81%). But there are some things we can do to reduce the mental harm caused by these pressures. Here are a few ways to nurture yourself and your mental health this winter:

Be Gentle and Patient with Yourself

It’s OK to prioritise what’s best for you. Tackle things one at a time, and challenge the assumption that everything ‘needs’ to happen over the holidays. Balance your sense of social obligation with your need for self-care.

Look After Yourself

Set your boundaries and give yourself permission to say no to plans that aren’t helpful for you. Find time for yourself – take a long bath, go for a gentle walk, exercise, or wrap up in the garden with a hot drink for a brief boost of winter sun.

Manage Relationships

If being around family is tough, plan something to look forward to with your ‘chosen family’ (friends, neighbours, etc). Think about how to end difficult conversations – it’s OK to tell someone you don’t want to talk about something or to change the subject. It might help to practise what you’ll say and plan some answers in advance.

Express Gratitude

Take the time to thank someone who has supported you or shown kindness. By thanking someone else, you can help them feel lighter too. Remember the small acts of kindness you’ve received over the past year and pay it forward; it could be as simple as donating food to a charity or buying a cup of coffee for the next person in line.

Talk About It

Let people know if you’re struggling: it can often feel like it’s just you, when in reality it’s not. It doesn’t have to be with people already in your life – you could join an online community of people who understand what you’re going through, such as Mind’s Side by Side. Remember, you don’t have to justify yourself to others, even if you feel pressured to

Useful Contacts:

• Mind – 0300 123 3393 (9:00–18:00, Monday to Friday)

• Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7)

• SANEline – 0300 304 700 (16:30–22:30, every day)

• National Suicide Prevention – 0800 689 5652 (24/7)

• CALM – 0800 58 58 58 (17:00–midnight, every day)