Keeping your mental health in check over the festive period ✅

Discuss your emotions. It's difficult to acknowledge that you don't feel all that great during such a fun time of year. However, talking about your feelings might help you feel better and make it easier to handle difficult situations. It's crucial to make room for these discussions and to know who to contact if you have any concerns about your welfare.

Do something you are good at

Keep up the activities and hobbies you enjoy all year round. You could turn these into festive activities, like making gifts, cooking mince pies, or playing your musical instruments to Christmas songs.

Ask for help

If things are getting too much for you in the next few weeks and you feel like you can't cope, ask for help. Samaritans are available to speak to all year round - their free helpline number is 116 123 and calls do not appear on phone bills.

Keep in touch

Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can offer different views from whatever's going on inside your own head, keep you grounded and help you solve practical problems. Enjoy this time to catch up with friends and family.

Dont compare yourself to others

Some of us make people laugh, others cook fantastic meals. Others live very differently. If you have mental health problems, don’t feel under pressure to do more than you feel up to this Christmas. Accept your strengths and weaknesses.

Try to drink responsibly

Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only ever temporary.

Try to eat well

Christmas is typically a time of overindulgence, but what we eat can sometimes impact on how we feel.

Try to keep active

Research shows that doing exercise releases chemicals in your body that can make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you to concentrate, sleep, and feel better. Exercise also keeps the brain and other vital organs healthy.

Take a break

The holiday season is a perfect time to take some time out of your day-to-day life and gain some perspective to reflect on the year. Whether spending time away from home or a stay-cation, re-energise by giving yourself a change of scene or pace.

Care for others

Caring for others is an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. Christmas is the perfect time to reach out to loved ones who you haven't spent much time with in the past year - ask how they've been and whether they have plans for the holidays.

Need further support?

If you feel like you have need extra help, you can call 999 or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. The Samaritans are available on 116 123 (UK) for free, 24/7. Call 0800 58 58 58 (UK). Text Shout to 85258 for immediate support.

For the best advice visit: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/blogs/tips-looking-after-your-mental-health-christmas