Christmas is 14 days away! I don’t know about you but it feels kind of surreal to me. In some ways, it feels like the year has gone by so painfully slowly, but in other ways many of us are finding ourselves wondering, “how is it Christmas already?”

Where did the year go?

Much of this year has been spent in varying degrees of social isolation with us learning to navigate an altered way of living. For the majority of the population, it has been a year of hardships, the end of which is still not in sight. But here we are, a fortnight away from “the most wonderful time of the year” and what I am hearing, both professionally and personally, is that people are not feeling the magic.

In my practice we have been inundated with high volumes of calls from people who are struggling mentally and emotionally, expressing feelings of overwhelm, apathy and fatigue. We have been told not to expect a normal Christmas and this is a blow to those who had high hopes at the start of this pandemic that by December this would all be over.

Christmas does divide people. Many people thrive during the festive period however, many people find this time of year really difficult. It is a time where socially people slow down, make plans to connect with one another and rejoice together. Whilst some restrictions have been relaxed for Christmas, there is a lot of anxiety in the air.

I want to therefore draw your attention to how you are feeling and to ask you to be really mindful of your mental wellbeing during the upcoming festive break. When you wake up every morning, ask yourself, “How am I feeling and what is my energy level like?” By doing this simple exercise you will be able to quickly identify whether you are spiralling down a slippery path. The key to managing mental health is always in being able to identify that it has become an issue, and the earlier you can tap into that space, the earlier you can get help.

If, upon doing a daily check-in or self-audit, you find that you are consistently feeling low, anxious, irritable, unmotivated, having negative thoughts or feeling hopeless, you must seek help. This could be speaking to a loved one or your GP. We will be working throughout this period and sometimes even a chat on the phone can make the world of a difference.

The pandemic has not been financially kind to many of us and often Christmas is where the pressure to indulge and spend is highest. Know that you are not alone and communicate this to your loved ones. Why not give to charity and encourage others to do the same in return and therefore no shame or guilt is felt.

Off the back of a year, where much time has been spent at home, try your best to keep the habit of getting out daily a priority even during the cold, dark days. A walk outside, some fresh air especially during daylight hours will help lift the mood and spirit.

Christmas can be isolating for many. It is also a time where we reminisce over the past or think of loved ones no longer with us. With the restrictions and limits on the number of people you can spend Christmas with, it is even more important to stay connected whether

it be over the phone, video, or a wave at the window. Also, why not drop over supplies to those more vulnerable if you are able to. Often giving to others and spreading kindness boosts our own sense of fulfilment, wellbeing and brings us much joy.

Just because it’s been a tough year, does not mean it needs to be a tough Christmas. Keep your expectations real, do not compare your situation to anyone else and try to include the things you personally enjoy about this time. Put on those movies, enjoy the food and drink (all in moderation, of course!) and play those board games if you so feel. Equally, just chill and do nothing if that’s what you feel like. Accept that this Christmas will be different and find the positives of it – perhaps not being forced to spend it with that annoying cousin isn’t a bad thing after all?!

If nothing else, please know that if you are finding this time difficult, it is because this time IS difficult and it is difficult for us all. We have a vaccine being rolled out as you read this and this means next Christmas we will most likely be “normal” again.