Prioritise Your Mental Health This Christmas: A Festive Guide to Wellbeing
Christmas, with all its glitter and charm, can be a double-edged sword. For some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For others, it’s a season full of emotional strain, financial stress, and heightened expectations. The pressures of gift-giving and navigating tricky family dynamics can be challenging. Managing loneliness is another difficulty. This festive period often amplifies mental health concerns. It also increases the temptation to overindulge in alcohol or other substances.
Lee Hawker-Lecesne, Clinical Director at The Cabin Chiang Mai, shares actionable strategies to help you stay grounded, embrace joy, and drink responsibly this holiday season.
Protect Your Mental Health: Practical Tips for a Balanced Festive Season
Stick to a Routine
Consistency is your ally. The busy festive season can easily disrupt your usual rhythm, but maintaining daily self-care activities is crucial. Include moments of relaxation, regular physical exercise, and balanced meals in your schedule. These small actions can have a significant impact on your overall wellbeing. If you’re attending social events, set clear boundaries—decide in advance when you’ll arrive and leave. This approach helps you stay in control. It prevents anxiety from spiraling into unhealthy behaviours. These can include excessive drinking or emotional outbursts.
Plan Financially
Christmas doesn’t have to break the bank. Spot potential financial stressors early and create a realistic budget that accounts for presents, social events, and unexpected expenses. Discover creative ways to celebrate at a low cost. Organize a potluck dinner instead of dining out. Opt for thoughtful, homemade gifts. Shift your focus to the experiences and connections that bring genuine joy. Remember, financial planning isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about reducing stress so you can fully enjoy the season.
Navigate Family Dynamics
Spending time with family can be as warming as mulled wine. It can also be as sharp as a double shot of espresso. If tensions brew, don’t hesitate to take a breather. Go for a walk, listen to music, or engage in an activity that soothes your mind. If certain relationships feel particularly strained, consider having open yet respectful conversations about boundaries or expectations. While you can’t control others’ behaviour, you can manage your responses and prioritise your own peace of mind.
Moderate Your Drinking
The temptation to overindulge is strong during the festive period. Countless parties, dinners, and celebrations are centered around alcohol. But excessive drinking doesn’t just affect your physical health—it can heighten feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety. To stay in control, pace yourself with non-alcoholic beverages, eat before drinking, and keep track of how much you’re consuming. This approach will help you feel more present and less likely to face regret the next day. Also don’t feel pressured to drink if you are on a sobriety journey or have given up alcohol.
Embrace Imperfection
The idyllic, snowy Christmas scene is a fantasy for most, not reality. If you’re feeling lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed, remind yourself that this season is temporary. It doesn’t define your worth or happiness. Connecting with your own needs can help you navigate difficult emotions. Journaling, mindfulness, or reaching out to a trusted friend are ways to connect with your needs. These methods provide compassion and perspective.
Social Anxiety at Christmas: How to Navigate the Festive Frenzy
For those who experience social anxiety, the holiday season can feel overwhelming. Social anxiety is often characterized by a fear of judgement or embarrassment in social situations. It can manifest as shakiness, stomach cramps, or even dizziness. Understanding the root of this fear is the first step toward managing it effectively.
Pause and Breathe
Overwhelmed? Step back. Sit down, breathe deeply, and centre your thoughts. In moments of anxiety, your breath becomes your greatest tool. Try inhaling for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling for six. This simple technique can help regulate your nervous system and refocus your mind. With practice, these moments of calm will become easier to access, even in the midst of holiday chaos.
Lean on Your Circle
Your support network—friends, family, or even a trusted colleague—can help you face daunting social events. Attending with a friend or sharing your feelings about upcoming challenges can ease your nerves and build confidence. If leaning on others feels daunting, start small. Confide in one person. Bring a comforting item with you to gatherings.
Prepare and Reflect
Make a list of anxiety-inducing situations. By breaking them down, you will find these moments less intimidating than anticipated. For example, if crowded rooms make you uneasy, stand near the door. If group conversations trigger unease, focus on one-on-one interactions. Armed with preparation, you’ll feel empowered to face gatherings without turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
The Hidden Challenges of Christmas: When Festivities Turn Stressful
Family unity and festive cheer are emphasized relentlessly. This focus can be difficult for those whose family lives are complicated or strained. For some, addiction becomes a way to numb these stressors. The festive season creates a ‘perfect storm’ for relapse or escalation. Causing an adverse effect on your mental health.
Loneliness is another challenge often overlooked during this time of togetherness. While others seem to revel in celebration, many people face a stark contrast in their personal lives. Recognizing that you’re not alone in these feelings is important. Volunteering, joining online communities, or attending casual meet-ups can help foster connection. These activities bring a sense of purpose to the season.
Lee explains “a lack of insight, judgement, and acceptance are three of the most dangerous hallmarks of addiction. These factors often come to a head during the holiday season. This leads to a surge in treatment admissions in the New Year. The consequences of unchecked drinking or drug use can spiral quickly during this time.”
Finding Comfort and Balance This Christmas
Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Focus on small, achievable steps. Set boundaries, stay connected, and drink mindfully. You can transform the festive season into a time of genuine joy and connection.
The heart of Christmas isn’t in grand gestures or perfection. It’s in finding moments of peace and connection, even in the smallest ways. By looking after yourself, you can create a season that feels authentic. Caring for those around you also contributes to a fulfilling season, no matter the challenges.
