Beating the Christmas overwhelm and festive burnout.

My name is Sarah, and I am a Mental Health Practitioner in North Yorkshire.  I am writing this blog to acknowledge that the Festive period can be projected as a happy time of year however, for many, it can have a significant impact upon their mental health.

There are many reasons as to why Christmas can affect mental health including going through grief from a bereavement, financial worries due to pressure to buy presents for others, and increased socialising with family and friends to name a few.

It can be a very overwhelming time of year and with social media easily accessible, it’s important to look after and prioritise our mental wellbeing. It can be easy to spend time comparing yourself and how you celebrate to others, and participating in doom scrolling. But often, things you will see on social media do not reflect reality.

Here are some tips to help, and that I hope you will consider using, to stay well this Christmas:

• Giving yourself the opportunity to reflect and prioritise the plans you want this Christmas rather than what other people are encouraging you to do. I acknowledge this is not always the easiest thing to do and makes us feel guilty initially if you are to say no. However, you will feel better longer term if you are able to prioritise yourself.
  
• Be careful with your money. I would encourage you to set a budget and buy within your means. People can feel they should buy others presents and spend money they do not have. Have conversations with those around you and try to be realistic, and honest about money concerns this Christmas; for many you will be helping them as they could also have the same concern.
  
• Be Prepared. This may include things such as ensuring you won’t run out of medication over Christmas time, due to pharmacies closing on the bank holiday. It may involve trying to keep a routine and plan for the days during the Christmas holidays, including days for rest, as it can be very overwhelming.
  
• Family. There can be people we will see over the Christmas period that we may not wish to see and cannot avoid that affect our mental health more. It is important that you think about a balance that could work, for example volunteer to do an activity so it can keep you busy or approach those who make you feel safe and have a conversation.
  
• Honest conversations. These conversations can be with yourself or others. Acknowledging how you feel can be really empowering, it allows you to take control of your mental wellbeing. I know myself that speaking to those who understand me and who listen to how I am feeling gives me the opportunity to feel supported.

The most important message I wish to get across to people this time of year is to be kind and true to yourself. You and I are only human and there is only so much we can do or places we can go. Therefore, think about how to spend your time and what is going to be the best for you and your mental health.

Take care of yourself,

Sarah Godbold
Advanced First Contact Mental Health Practitioner