Mental Health During Christmas: Tips for Well-Being in the Festive Season

Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, but for many, it can bring challenges such as stress, loneliness and high expectations. This guide explores how Christmas impacts mental health and provides practical tips to maintain your well-being during the festive period.

Key Takeaways

• Christmas impacts mental health differently for everyone.

• Building a strong support network, prioritising self-care and adopting healthy habits can help.

• Charities like Mind, Young Minds and Samaritans are there to provide support.

How Christmas Can Affect Mental Health

Positive and Negative Effects

• A YouGov survey reveals that nearly half of people feel their mental health improves during Christmas.

• However, mental health charity Mind found that:

• 76% struggle with sleep during this time.

• 60% experience panic attacks.

• Those most affected include women, students, unemployed individuals and people with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Factors That Impact Mental Health at Christmas

Emotional Challenges

• Life events: Difficult personal experiences can make Christmas hard to enjoy.

• Expectations vs reality: Feeling disappointed when Christmas doesn’t meet expectations.

• Memories: Past Christmases can trigger mixed emotions.

• Loneliness: Feeling alone or missing loved ones.

Practical Issues

• Money worries [1]: Concerns about costs, spending, or letting people down.

• Relationship strain: Family or social pressures, difficult dynamics and unmet expectations.

• Logistics: Managing travel, childcare, or being a carer can heighten stress.

• Hospital stays: Being away from festivities can lead to feelings of isolation.

How to Maintain Mental Health During Christmas

Building a Support System

• Talk about your feelings: Sharing emotions with trusted people helps manage stress.

• Seek charity support: Organisations like Mind and Samaritans offer helplines and resources.

The Mental Health Foundation has created the below video about the importance of speaking about your feelings.

Healthy Habits

• Exercise [2]: A winter walk or festive activity can boost mood.

• Moderation with alcohol: Limit drinking to avoid negative mental health effects.

• Balanced eating: Enjoy treats, but include nutrient-rich foods for brain health.

Prioritising Self-Care

• Take time for yourself [3]: Step back from obligations when needed.

• Say no: Avoid over-committing to events or activities.

• Sleep well: Establish a good sleep routine to reduce stress.

Coping with Specific Challenges

Missing Loved Ones

• Grieving or missing people during Christmas is common. Heads Together recommends finding ways to honour their memory or reaching out to support networks.

Feeling Lonely

• Loneliness affects those who are alone and those surrounded by people. Tips include [4]:

• Writing a gratitude list.

• Volunteering to connect with your community.

• Reaching out to different social groups.

By recognising these challenges and taking proactive steps, you can enjoy a healthier and happier festive season.

Sources

[1] Looking after your mental health at Christmas - Nursing and Midwifery | Birmingham City University

[2] Looking After Your Mental Health at Christmas | YoungMinds 

[3] If you’re finding things hard this festive season | Samaritans 

[4] Coping at Christmas - Mental health | Priory Group  

Further Reading

• Mental Health UK - Christmas and Your Mental Health

• Heads Together - Tips on Looking After Your Mental Health This Christmas

• Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - Christmas Mental Wellbeing Toolkit