If you find Christmas a difficult time of year different things can help us at different times, depending on our situation and how we’re feeling. Try some of these ideas and see what works best for you:
Coping with money worries
It can be tough to cope with the financial pressures of Christmas. This can be especially difficult if you’re already struggling with money. And for many of us, rises in the cost of living will have made things even harder. How you cope with the costs of Christmas will depend on your circumstances. You might not find all of these tips realistic. But it may help to try some of them:
• Make lists, plans or a budget. Noting things down can make them feel a bit more manageable or help you think more clearly. Creating a budget could also help you feel more in control of what you can spend.
• Be open with others. It can be hard to talk about money. But being honest with others can help. You may be able to agree ways to make Christmas plans free or low cost.
• Look for local offers or events. Local organisations, such as charities and community centres, may have free or low-cost events for Christmas. Or they may be able to offer support with things like gifts or food.
• Look for free or low-cost items online. You may be able to find free items to use as gifts or decorations online.
• Try to avoid comparisons with the Christmas you see in adverts and social media. These often do not reflect reality and can make us feel bad about ourselves. It may help to take breaks from social media.
• Be kind to yourself. Money worries can have a big impact on our mental health. They might make us feel concerned, embarrassed or angry. And they can affect our self-esteem. Try not to blame yourself for your situation or how you’re feeling about it.
Looking after yourself
• Be gentle and patient with yourself. It might help to think about what is best for your wellbeing during Christmas and prioritise what you need.
• Remind yourself that it won’t last forever. You could set a ‘start’ and ‘finish’ time for what you count as Christmas.
• Set your boundaries. Try to say no to things that aren’t helpful for you.
• Let yourself experience your own feelings. Even if they don’t match what’s going on around you, they’re still valid. For example, if you don’t feel like celebrating Christmas when everyone else does.
• Take time out. Do something to forget that it’s Christmas or distract yourself. For example, you could watch a film or read a book that’s set in the summer. Or you could try learning a new skill.
• Let yourself have the things you need. For example, if you need to take a break instead of doing an activity or need a little bit of quiet time.
Planning ahead
Think about what might be difficult about Christmas for you, and if there’s anything that may help you cope. It might help to write this down. For example:
• If you’re going to be somewhere unfamiliar for Christmas, think about what you need to help you cope. Are there things you can bring to make you feel more comfortable? Or is there somewhere you can go to take a break?
• If having a routine is important to you, try to include as much of your regular routine in your Christmas plans as you can. This could help prevent you feeling too disrupted. Or you could slowly introduce Christmas activities to your routine, rather than do them all at once.
• If you sometimes experience flashbacks or panic make a note of what helps during these moments and keep it with you.
• Certain places may feel very uncomfortable for you, for example if they bring back difficult memories. If possible, you could plan to spend less time in difficult places, or not go at all.
• Think about whether you really need to do things if you’re not looking forward to them. It may that you can do them for less time, or in a different way.
• Make a list of any services that you might need and their Christmas opening hours.
• Pharmacies can be closed on certain days over the Christmas period. So if you take medication, make sure you have enough for the whole period.
• If you’re worried about feeling lonely or isolated this Christmas, think of some ways to help pass the time. For example, this might be doing something creative or spending time in nature.
• If you can’t be with the people you want to see in person, you could arrange a phone or video call to catch up with them on Christmas day. Or try to arrange a visit around Christmas, if there’s a time when it’s possible to meet.
• Try out some new traditions if any of your previous traditions don’t feel possible this year. For example, if they’re too expensive, or too difficult because of a bereavement. These new ideas could be a one-off, or they could become part of Christmas in future.
• Try to plan something nice to do after Christmas. Having something to look forward to next year could make a real difference.
Managing relationships
• If other people’s questions are difficult, you could try to think of some answers in advance. For example, about your plans or how you’re doing.
• Think about how to end difficult conversations. It’s ok to tell someone you don’t want to talk about something, or to change the subject. It might help to practise what you’ll say.
• Suggest an activity or an easy way to move on, if you want to help end an unwanted conversation. For example, this could be playing a game, or taking a screen break if you’re on a video call.
• Talk about your plans in advance. It might help to agree on things such as budgets or timings beforehand. For example, you could agree not to give presents this year, or decide a set amount to spend.
• If other people don’t seem to understand how you’re feeling, you could share this information with them. You could also think about writing down how you’re feeling and sharing this with them if conversations are difficult.
• It’s ok if there are people you don’t want to see at Christmas. If you can’t avoid spending time with them, try to think of ways to keep a distance while you’re there.
Christmas Tips
