Now that the festive season is in full swing, Lifeline South Coast is urging people to look after themselves this Christmas.
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Rachel Norris, CEO of Lifeline South Coast said that Christmas is often a busy and stressful time of year, but there are some simple ways to help manage that stress.
“For some people, Christmas can be a wonderful, joyous and relaxing time,” she said.
“For those with depression or anxiety, the Christmas association with happiness and festivity can be crippling.
“The social aspect of Christmas can also increase the grief of those who have lost a loved one and magnify their sense of loneliness.
“We want everyone to make the best of their Christmas, so have put together some tips to help you reduce the stress.”
Their tips are as follows:
*Your Christmas does not have to be perfect to be enjoyable. It is easy to set unrealistically high standards for yourself. Ask yourself, “does it really matter if the roast is not done the way my mother did it?” Relax a little and enjoy the company of the people around you.
*Don’t think you have to enjoy it all the time. Sometimes Christmas can remind us that a special person is no longer with us, and it’s normal to feel sad about this. Give yourself permission to feel sad at some stage during Christmas.
*Try not to feel over responsible for other people’s enjoyment. Remember, you can only do so much, and, if you think others are not enjoying Christmas as much as they could, that’s their responsibility not yours.
*Don’t feel as though you have to get on with everyone. Sometimes people have hurt us in the past or relationships have broken down, so it’s unrealistic that you would get on with them at Christmas.
*Finances are one of the biggest triggers when it comes to seasonal stress, so don’t make things more difficult by overstretching yourself. Set an achievable budget for gifts, food, and social occasions and don’t let yourself go over it. And remember, you don’t have to spend money to give someone a gift – your time can be just as valuable.
*Take some time for yourself. Often, we are so worried about everyone else that we forget to take a moment for ourselves. Do something you enjoy this Christmas.
*Ask for help if you need it.
If the festive season becomes too stressful or difficult to manage, call Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone crisis service on 131 114 to talk to someone who can help.
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis line will be available during Christmas and New Year.