Holiday Self-Help Survival Guide

The festive period is fast approaching. For some, this period can be a real challenge for many different reasons. From losing someone significant, relationship breakdown and estrangement from loved ones, to loss of employment, financial worries and generally feeling isolated and unwell. 

With GPs, supportive charities such as MFT and Mental Health services reducing their activities or closing for the Christmas break, we can all feel the pressure to “feel happy” and that we all participate in festive activities, which we know can be really difficult to do if we’re struggling.

To help you through the coming weeks, we’ve asked our Safe Haven team to share their tips to survive the festive period. This is what they wrote:

Forward planning

Identify triggers

Talking to someone you trust prior to the festive season can be really helpful. Maybe you could ask them to help and think about situations that could trigger negative thinking and they can help to try to identify any helpful coping mechanisms we might use?

Stock up

If you’re taking any prescribed medication, make sure you have enough to last over the festive period and a bit beyond. Make sure you have enough food, cold & flu medications and supplies in to avoid an unexpected dash to find a shop that’s open.

Stick to your budget

Have a budget of what you’re likely to spend and stick to it. If your budget is tight, think of offering your time to help someone with their garden, with shopping, dog walking, cat sitting, babysitting or a trip out for an inexpensive coffee or lunch in the next year. Crafting can also be a good way of making personalised and inexpensive gifts. Spending time with people who get us and love us is the most important thing. Our time is the most precious gift we have.

Self-care

The “good enough” mantra

Replacing the “perfect festive period” with the “good-enough festive period”, brings down stress and anxiety. The notion of the flawless Christmas—complete with idealised meals, immaculate homes, harmonious families and curated traditions sets an impossible standard. Trying to meet it often leads to disappointment and exhaustion. Embracing a “good-enough” holiday removes a major source of emotional pressure.

Do what makes you feel good

Choose who you celebrate with. 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 in advance.

There’s nothing wrong with spending time alone if it works for you or if it’s easier. Your festive period doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. If you want to eat beans on toast for lunch and listen to music or watch TV, that’s ok!

Beware of unhealthy habits

Think about food, alcohol and caffeine and how this can affect your mood and try to avoid situations where you are likely to feel pressured into eating or drinking too much.

Be mindful of social media

Social media can be a wonderful thing, allowing us to keep us in contact with each other but always be mindful that people very often post the best version of their festive season and life generally, online. We should always keep in mind that just because we’re not celebrating in the same way, our way of getting through is ok too.

Go outdoors

Try to get outdoors for walks and exercise if you can. Just a short walk, especially in natural surroundings, can help to improve your mood, either alone or with a friend. If you can’t go out, make sure you open your windows, take in some of the fresh air and air your place every day.

Keep up your routine

Our daily routines are important to us and it’s really easy during the Christmas period to get out of sync with our normal sleep patterns. This can really affect our mood. Think about removing devices before you try to sleep and you will sleep a lot better if your bedroom is cool, quiet, and dark. Try listening to music, reading or practising mindfulness to get into the right frame of mind for sleep.

Just having a shower, cleaning our teeth and changing our clothes can improve our mood. Feeling good about ourselves is an important part of self-care.

Manage your energy

Give only as much as you feel you can. It can be really hard to set boundaries but sometimes we just have to say no. It can be very difficult to put yourself first but those who really care will understand.

If you are going to a family lunch or dinner, find a quiet spot to retreat to if you get overwhelmed. Know where support is available if you are struggling.

Get Support if you need

Please remember that if you need support, the Epsom Safe Haven remains open 6pm-11pm every evening, including bank holidays over the festive period. We have a virtual link if you are unable to travel to see us in person: https://nhs.vc/sabp/safe-haven-Epsom

We have also listed all the holiday mental health emergency contact on our website for ease. Do keep the page open on your smartphone so it is easy to find in times of distress.

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