Is anyone else finding it hard to get in the Christmas spirit? Even at the best of times the holiday season can be fraught with emotions. Throw in the pandemic, with travel plans up in the air, and the uncertainty of whether you'll be able to catch up with friends and family, this year has proven to be harder than most.
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Just when we thought we were through the worst of it, Omicron has thrown a spanner in the works. Bah, humbug.
So how best to get through the next few weeks without loading more stress on yourself?
The MindSpot Clinic is a free national digital mental health clinic and founding director Professor Nick Titov says there are several things you can do to make the most of the festive season.
"The festive season is a wonderful time, but can trigger and amplify negative emotions, and the challenges of 2021 haven't helped," Professor Titov said.
"Christmas is a feeling-filled time of year. We often experience lots of wonderful emotions including happiness, excitement, gratefulness, calmness, and joy. But we can also experience stress and anxiety, sadness, guilt and anger."
He said preparations for Christmas are often time consuming and stressful because of other responsibilities like work, study, chores, or caring for others.
"A top tip is to prioritise taking a break, even for a few minutes, it can reduce feelings of stress, increase resilience and refresh and invigorate your mind," he said.
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He cautioned too, that even if we feel positive about Christmas, someone close to us might not, and the most important thing is to be there for that loved one.
"This can mean letting them know you're there, and you care about them. You could encourage them to talk about what's going on and provide them with opportunities to be involved in your plans and activities. Simply asking if and how you might be able to help them can make a difference," he said.
Try these tips to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, reminders to treat ourselves, as well as others with kindness and compassion.
- Remember, it's okay to say "no" to things. You can postpone and enjoy get togethers or tasks until the New Year when everything slows down.
- Make some time in the next week to sit down with yourself or with a friend/partner and plan what you might do over the festive season. This is a great way to get organised and reduce stress.
- Remember Christmas isn't about spending lots of money, it's about spending quality time with people you love or doing something you enjoy.
- The next few weeks are often tiring; if you can, start going to bed earlier than usual to give yourself the energy you need to get through without burning out.
- Try to keep realistic expectations about yourself and your family. Give yourself permission to be human, occasionally grumpy and forgetful, and not perfect. And apply the same rule to your family, friends and colleagues.
- Stay flexible with planning events. Consider how you might need to combine face to face and digital celebration events, or have a "Plan B", if people have to isolate, or can't attend in person. Remember, things don't have to be perfect for an event to be enjoyable or worthwhile.
- Stay connected and reach out to others, even if you don't feel like it. People always appreciate hearing from you.
- Have a plan for managing any challenges you might expect and be prepared to ask for help. Most people like to have the opportunity to help others and to contribute.
- Prioritise your healthy routine. Keep doing the things that you know are good for your physical and mental health.
- Take regular breaks throughout each day. Use that time to mentally and physically relax by clearing your head, controlling your breathing, and gently stretching. Your body and mind will love it.
- Clear your head by doing things that help you relax. These might be listening to favourite music, taking your dog for a walk, reading a chapter of a good book, or watching an episode of something.
- Be respectful to yourself. When stressed we tend to have negative thoughts about ourselves and about the world. Check to make sure that you are treating yourself with the kindness and respect that you show others.
Karen Hardy
Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
