Christmas can be a testing time mentally, emotionally, physically and financially for many people. This year a great deal of us are feeling the fatigue and pressure brought on by nearly two years of lockdowns and a lingering pandemic. It's okay if you're not feeling full of joy during the festive season.
Whether or not Christmas is part of your life, your mental health might be affected by it happening around you. It's a time of year that often puts extra pressure on us, and can affect our mental health in lots of different ways.
For example, if you:
- feel alone or left out because everyone else seems happy when you're not
- wish you didn't have to deal with Christmas or find it stressful because of other events in your life
- feel frustrated by other people's views of a 'perfect' Christmas, if these feel different to your experiences
- want to celebrate with someone who's struggling.
The festive period could affect your mental health in other ways too.
For example:
- Your mental health problem might make it hard for you to spend Christmas how you want.
- Difficult and stressful experiences at Christmas could make your mental health worse.
- Your experiences of last Christmas, during the coronavirus restrictions, may affect how you feel about this Christmas.
- New Year may also feel like a hard time, if it makes you look back at difficult memories or worry about anything in the coming year.
If Christmas is a hard time for you, it's important to remember that you are not alone. Your counsellor at PCS is working throughout the Christmas and New Year period and is available via e-mail or telephone. This is a free and confidential service and there is also a drop-in service available on a Tuesday 5pm-8pm for you to access if you just want to chat.
The counsellor can give you tips on how to look after yourself as well as helpful tips on how to cope with anxiety as well as depression. Jaime can be contacted on Jaime@personal-careservices.co.uk or 07399809671.
