Christmas period can be difficult for many people, especially now when looking at the economic landscape.
Some may be struggling this year for the first time, others struggled in the past years, and yet others may be dealing with difficulties again this year.
This can be due to:
- Money worries – Christmas can be very expensive
- Practical issues – some people have to work over Christmas whilst struggling with childcare or feeling guilty for not being able to spend time with them. For others, finding enough time to do everything and preparing for Christmas may be challenging. And imagine of you have to travel and stay somewhere else over Christmas. Would you agree this is stressful? And know that for many it may be disruptive too.
- People we lost – Christmas can be very difficult if we can’t spend it with people we would like to. There are lots of reasons why people may not be around, such as: bereavement, divorce and break-ups or health and financial problems, and this of course will impact on feeling lonely.
- Difficult relationships.
All these will impact on our mental health. It may be hard to:
- Deal with other people’s expectations
- Deal with demands on your time
- Set boundaries and having less privacy
- Decide what gifts to buy for family and friends, and how they’ll be received.
Some people may find media, adverts and representations of Christmas upsetting and hard to avoid, and see it different than you do. There is a stigma and misconceptions about mental health over Christmas. Look after yourself!
Remember that someone very close to us may be struggling or suffering this Christmas, and not see it as a time to celebrate, and yet not demonstrate this to the world outside. Be mindful and ready to help!
If you need someone to talk to then please contact me.
Beata