Taking care this Christmas

Christmas can be joyful but it can also be a difficult time of year for many of us. We feel obliged to get together with our families and to join in but for many the prospect, let alone the reality, can feel stressful, even unbearable.

The number of suicides soar to their highest levels in January and the Samaritans expect to receive one call every six seconds over Christmas and the New Year.

The sense that everyone else is finding the festive period enjoyable serves to emphasise our own insecurities and problems. Many also feel pressurised to spend money they many not have adding to their sense of feeling overwhelmed.

The last thing we want to hear are platitudes about grinning and bearing it. Instead, here at Second Step we have put together our top tips to cope with Christmas based on the five ways to wellbeing.

1. Many of us have family obligations at Christmas and some of us find these hard. Others may not have places to go or people to see and that can be upsetting too. Either way try not to beat yourself up about your situation, be kind to yourself.
2. Take care not to indulge too much, a bit of activity added into the mix will make you feel so much better and more balanced. So go for a walk or do some other exercise, whatever works best for you.
3. Keep things small and simple. Trying to do too much will stress you more. If you keep things doable and don’t expect too much of yourself you will feel much better.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are people out there who understand how difficult Christmas can be and will be keen to help you through.
5. Do something for others if you can. Maybe visit a neighbour if that’s a possibility. For some, this may be difficult and so it is important to remember to treat yourself well at this time of year. Be sure to do something for you too, it’s important to care for yourself