Is your Christmas tree up but you're feeling down?
Is your Christmas tree up but your feeling down and low in mood? It may be you’re not in the Christmas spirit and you worry about letting those around you down.
Your friends and family can often help with expectations. It may be you are worrying about this but you are predicting how people feel rather than it being a fact. So be honest about the pressure you are feeling. We have included some extra info on this which can support your mental wellbeing or support you to help others during this time of year.
- Be kind to yourself – be aware of the expectations you are setting for yourself, you do not have to feel a certain way at Christmas.
- Complete a worry list - write down everything that is worrying you then consider each one and whether it is in your control. If not, cross it off and focus on one worry you can do something about and set yourself a small goal to start to challenge this worry.
- Let’s talk about it - your friends and family can often help with expectations. It may be you are worrying about this but you are predicting how people feel rather than it being a fact. So be honest about the pressure you are feeling.
- Understand how you are feeling - is it the Christmas spirit you are not feeling or have you felt this way for a while? Have you noticed you have stopped doing things because of how you are feeling? If yes then reflect on what has changed recently and is there a small change you could make that could improve your mood? For example a better bed time routine or prioritising self-care.
- It’s okay just not to like the Christmas period – it can be stressful and busy so make sure you take time for yourself to breathe and do something that you enjoy that doesn’t involve Christmas.
Our Changing Minds IAPT team are here to support you, a loved one, friend or colleague in the run up to Christmas. The service is for anyone over the age of 17 and a half and living in Northamptonshire. Contact us on www.nhft.nhs.uk/iapt and complete the short online form or give us a call on 0300 999 1616 (9 to 5 weekdays).
For mental wellbeing support for children or young people please visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/camhslive or they can text their school nurse on 07507 329 600. Check out their Facebook page for more information: @NHFTchildrensservices or Twitter account: @NHFTSchoolNurse