After the year many of us have had with COVID-19, having a restful break is a big priority this Christmas and New Year.
But although the festive season can be a great time of celebration, it can also be a time when financial issues, family conflict and loneliness can rise to the surface.
Here are three important points to help prioritise your own wellbeing, and that of others too.
- Do things you enjoy without expectations
Manage expectations of how you think Christmas should be. Make sure you don’t overload yourself with too much cooking or entertaining if you are not up to it, or if you can’t afford it this year.
Just make sure you plan ahead to do the key things you really enjoy – even if that’s simple routines like watching Christmas movies or playing cricket with family and friends.
If you plan to spend Christmas alone, get out and enjoy a nice walk taking in the quieter time of year, or volunteer with a local charity to be with a new set of people.
- Manage stress
Catching up with family members can sometimes result in stress. Be aware of this and make sure you have strategies to cope, even if that means limiting time with those people you feel induce conflict.
Avoid too much alcohol consumption as that usually makes things worse.
- Provide support
Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, but for some it is a time that brings feelings of sadness or grief. People may have lost someone close to them, or they might feel lonely.
Take the time to be there and to reach out –even if it is just visiting a neighbour who you know is by themselves.
Mental health professionals at Beyond Blue are always on hand over the holiday period 24/7 on 1300 22 4636.