For some of us Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year. You can leave the house in December be certain to find bustling crowds, loud music, and a sense of happiness which can sometimes feel suffocating, particularly if you feel pressure to be happy yourself. You don’t have to be suffering from a mental health issue to become sensitive at this time of year, but it is the most common in those of us who suffer from depression, anxiety, autism etc.
After unfortunately having trouble with the festive season for multiple years now I have accumulated some coping methods and strategies I feel can be useful and are listed below:
- Give Yourself The Right To Say No
As with any other social season or event we can feel pressured to do things either for social convention or by our loved ones. It can feel particularly weighted at this time of year due to the emphasis we put on the importance of Christmas. Your family may want you to come home for Christmas day, your friends may want you to join them visiting the Christmas Markets, or your work may be throwing a large Christmas party they’d like you to attend. It can feel very uncomfortable to say no at any time of year, but during this difficult period we must remember that our own mental health is far more important than disappointing someone for a day. Despite the expectations put on the holiday you have the right to live it the way that you wish. - Be Kind To Yourself
It can be easy to give into negativity and feel that you’re useless because you can’t attend social events or your life doesn’t match what is depicted in holiday movies and social media. I’m here to tell you when these thoughts come, just breathe, exhale and remind yourself that you are important, you deserve to exist and your life may not be perfect or ideal, but that is not what is important. Your mental health and happiness are far more important than reaching an ideal. To distract yourself when you have these thoughts I often play games, reach out to loved ones or create some art, whether that is colouring, drawing, painting. - Seek Help If Needed
December has been the most regular time of year that I refer to a counsellor – this isn’t a coincidence. When my confidence and mental health is at it’s lowest seeing a professional can really help. If you only need a one-time boost calling a help line can drastically improve your mood. It gives you someone to talk to, cry to, and they often give you decent advice based on your situation. Great ones for the United Kingdom are Samaritans and Mental Health Matters. If you require long term support always see your GP and contact local charities who may offer free sessions of counselling or therapy. - Make Schedules and To Do Lists
Anyone who suffers from anxiety or autism knows it can be a struggle facing unknown situations or overwhelming events, as such keeping a diary or schedule of the events you are planning to attend can really help to break things down into digestible chunks. Additionally to-do lists go a long way for keeping things organised and for taking control of any anxiety you’re experiencing.
So please don’t suffer in silence this year. Be brave and be happy, but do it for yourself and not for anyone else.
For more information:
http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/holidays
http://www.autism.org.uk/christmas
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201011/why-people-get-depressed-christmas
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/16/how-to-cope-with-depression-at-christmas_n_4418119.html
http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/enjoying-magic-christmas-autism-style-3827882
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