Dec 65 min read

Mental Health at Christmas - Part 1

Christmas can be an exciting time, to spend with friends and family, however, for many, it can come with a lot of mixed feelings. This article will be followed by one that will detail ways in which you can cope with all of the below over Christmas.

There are several reasons as to why people may find Christmas to be difficult:

Money

Christmas can be an expensive time of year. Buying presents, food, drinks, etc can stack up and before you know it, you can have spent a small fortune.
Being able to afford Christmas, as well as our general lives, bills, etc can add another layer of pressure, particularly during the current cost of living
Many people often receive their salary payments on different dates during Christmas than they usually do. This can cause worry about being able to pay bills etc on time.
Not being able to afford many presents and feeling as though you are letting people down by not spending much money

Loneliness

During a time that tends to bring people together, it can be really difficult if you don't have anyone to spend the period with.

You may have lost your loved ones
You may live alone
You may live far away from your family and are unable to visit them
You may have family whom you can spend time with, but you feel lonely as you cannot be yourself, or have to mask your feelings and emotions
If you have a physical or mental health illness, you may feel as though you can't/ not be able to get involved in the festivities

Co-parenting

If you co-parent your children and take it in turns to have them over Christmas time, it can be really difficult to know that you might not be able to spend time with them, or as much time as you'd like.

Agreeing with your co-parent who will have your children/ child and for how long
Potentially not having anyone to spend Christmas with if your co-parent has your children/child
Accepting that your children/child may be spending time with your co-parent and their new partner/family
If you have a strained relationship with your co-parent and communication with your children/child is difficult, this could be distressing if you want to check in with them and are unable to
Competition - you may feel as though you need to compete with your co-parent to buy the most/best present for your children/child, organise the better days out etc. This can feel like a lot of pressure and make you feel inadequate.

Missing loved ones

If people you usually spend Christmas with are no longer around to celebrate with, this can be very difficult to come to terms with and get used to. You may feel as if something is missing and that the time is not the same as it used to be. This can taint the experience. These could be due to death/loss of contact/breakdown in relationships:

Family members
Friends
Loss of a baby

Practicality

With Christmas comes a lot of organisation and planning. This can be stressful for a number of reasons:

Arranging care of children/family if you have to work
Organising travel / organising to collect relatives
Finding enough time to get everything done/ see everyone
Arranging accommodation / booking hotels etc

Strained/ difficult relationships

When organising time to spend with family and friends during Christmas, we might feel forced into seeing people or doing things that we don't want to, and it can be difficult to escape difficult situations.

Abusive relationships
Not feeling accepted, e.g. if you don't feel accepted or understood by your family because of things such as sexuality, identity, life choices etc
Having to spend time with family/friends that you don't get on with and worrying about there being animosity/arguments
Not being able to spend time with people you want to, because people you don't get on with will be there

Eating and drinking

Christmas is often associated with a lot of food and drink. For those who struggle with these things, this period can feel extremely distressing, overwhelming and triggering

Those who struggle with eating disorders
Alcoholics or recovering alcoholics
Those in poverty with little access to food and drink

Closed support/ services

Many services that we rely on close down for the Christmas period. This can be really stressful and distressing for those that can't access the services during this time, when they are in need. These can include:

Foodbanks - people can struggle to access their basic needs
Psychological services -e.g many therapists don't tend to work over Christmas and if you are in regular contact with one, it may feel daunting that your routine of speaking with them will be disrupted.
GP surgeries - it may be difficult to book appointments
Pharmacies - some pharmacies may close down, making it difficult for people to get their medication.

Social media and society pressures

There is so much media and events around Christmas, which can make us feel as though we should be feeling a certain way. This can negatively impact our mental health.

Seeing people enjoying the festivities and being busy can make us feel guilty or that we are missing out (can add to feelings of loneliness)
Concerns around becoming unwell close to Christmas because of increased socialising
Loud noises, music, lights can be overwhelming and overstimulating for some
If you celebrate other holidays, festivals, religions etc you may feel as though they are overlooked when Christmas is so widely celebrated.

Being unwell or in hospital

Being ill or spending time in hospital over Christmas can be really upsetting and isolating.

Visiting times - visiting times may differ or be restricted, meaning you might not be able to see friends and family when or for as long as you'd like.
Difficult to know what to expect
The wards may be quieter, with fewer staff. This may make you feel quite isolated or alone
Feeling like you are missing out on your normal Christmas
Difficulty escaping celebrations if the hospital plan activities/ put up decorations etc - could lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and pressured to get involved when you may not want to

Past traumatic/ unpleasant experiences associated with Christmas time

If you have experienced something upsetting previously during Christmas time, it can bring back a lot of unpleasant memories each year.

Losing a loved one close to Christmas
Being unwell during the festive period
Losing a job
Arguments at Christmas celebrations
Relationship problems/ breakdowns

Feelings once Christmas is over

From having lots of exciting plans, things to look forward, time off work during the Christmas period, to normality kicking back in come the New Year, many of us can struggle to get back into the swing of things.