How to look after your mental health at Christmas

A leading Priory psychiatrist offers advice

The festive period can be a challenging time for anyone, not least those struggling with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Christmas is viewed as a time for unadulterated happiness, partying and socialising with family and friends but for others, the diminishing daylight hours, the pressure to be upbeat at all times, and memories of family members who are absent can make the season a very difficult time.

Last year, the charity Samaritans, urged people to stop striving for a perfect Christmas, after a survey of 1,160 adults in the UK found that 50 per cent¹ of people hide their feelings at Christmas to keep others happy. Another survey by Mind revealed that nearly 60 per cent of people with mental health problems have experienced panic attacks over the festive period².

Mental health issues are common, and not exclusive to the Christmas period, but Christmas can impact mental health issues and worsen conditions.

Dr Natasha Bijlani, Consultant Psychiatrist at Priory Hospital Roehampton, provides her tips on how to look after your mental health over the Christmas period.

• Don’t look back on the past year – As Christmas is the end of the chronological year, people tend to look back on what they have achieved and what they haven’t. If you are suffering with depression or low self-esteem, there is a real risk that any negative feelings of under-achievement, or the past year not living up to your expectations, are exacerbated. Focus on the positives and set goals you want to achieve in the following year.
• Get out the house during daylight hours – Winter months can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in those vulnerable to the condition. Shorter daylight hours combined with lack of sunshine can impact negatively on your mood. Many people find themselves staying in the house over the Christmas period, however, try and get out at least once a day, even if it is just for a short walk.
• Everything in moderation – Over the Christmas period it can be tempting to over-indulge in both food and drink and this can be a way of coping with difficult feelings. Drinking excessively over Christmas will impact on mood and anxiety. Eating too much can also introduce feelings of guilt and low self-esteem. Try to do some exercise which involves getting outside – running, walking - as this can help to improve your health and wellbeing.
• Volunteer in the community – Christmas can be an isolating period. Many organisations and charities reach out to people to spend Christmas morning with the elderly or helping the homeless. Whether you wrap wanted gifts for local charities, or volunteer at your local hospital, or help cook lunch for the homeless then it can give you a real sense of purpose and make a difference to someone else’s day.
• Don’t be afraid to say “no” – The festive season, or “party season”, can involve more social pressures than usual. A recent survey by Mind, found that one in four adults³ in UK feel anxious about social gatherings during the festive season. The pressure to fit in can become intense and whilst it is important to get out and about and mix with other people, don’t beat yourself up if you turn down an invite or make an excuse to leave early.
• Have realistic expectations about family gatherings – Christmas is always hailed as ‘family time’ and this can place pressure on already strained family relationships, particularly amongst those who don’t see each other very often and aren’t used to spending a long period of time together. Managing your expectations can help reduce the effects these feelings can have on you.
• Live in the moment – There's no point dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Living in the moment is easier said than done but simple mindfulness exercises can help to focus your mind on the present. Find out more at bemindful.co.uk
• Talk about your anxieties – Talking with a friend or relative about the things that are worrying you can help you to realise that some of them aren't so important after all, and help you to focus on one or two things that are at the root of your worry. The Samaritans provide a free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week support on 116 123. They also have local branches in many areas where you can drop in to speak to someone face-to-face. For more information visit: samaritans.org. There is also a free confidential hotline for older people: Silverline
• Get enough sleep – Don’t watch TV in bed. It’s generally stimulating for the brain. The same goes for streaming on a laptop or tablet. Charge your phone and devices outside your room, and don’t use the alarm on your phone as an excuse to keep your phone by your bed.” Don’t use your smartphone in bed. Its noise and light can interfere with sleeping. LCD screens on phones and tablets emit light that is blue enriched. This light influences the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) and delays the release of the ‘sleep hormone’ melatonin.”
• Listen to music – Listen to a relaxing playlist of, for example, light classical music that induces relaxation. The best suggestion is a 30-minute playlist.

Reference

• https://www.samaritans.org/news/get-real-christmas-says-samaritans
• https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/mind-warns-that-people-with-mental-health-problems-struggle-with-self-harm-and-suicidal-feelings-due-to-the-pressure-of-christmas/#.W_bdLuj7Tcs
• https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/brits-experiencing-social-anxiety-at-christmas/#.W_bd2ej7Tcs

ENDS

Contact: [email protected]

About Priory and MEDIAN

Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health services. We treat more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across our nationwide network of sites. We also support autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within our specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.

Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, one of Europe’s leading providers of high quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises 290 facilities with 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people in the UK, 120 facilities with 20,000 beds caring for around 250,000 patients in Germany, and 15 facilities with 2,000 beds caring for 13,000 people in Spain, with more than 29,000 employees overall.