News Release, 27 November 2000
The Mental Health Foundation is urging people to look after their own mental wellbeing this Christmas with ten simple steps.
"It's all too easy to feel under pressure to perform at Christmas," said Ruth Lesirge, director, Mental Health Foundation. "There is an expectation that everybody will feel happy and sociable throughout the Christmas period - despite having our normal timetable turned upside down, presents to buy, food to prepare and relatives, partners and friends to be extra-nice to throughout the holiday. It may all be too much, so there are things that everybody can do to help look after themselves at Christmas. But it is important to understand that if you do feel stressed, anxious or depressed you haven't failed."
The Mental Health Foundation's Christmas survival guide includes:
- Plan ahead. Break down a big problem into smaller problems which you can feel good about achieving, e.g. buying one present at a time, or in small groups, cooking some Christmas food in advance and freezing it.
- Plan some time for yourself. Make you have some time to yourself to do things that make you feel good. It could be having a long bath with the door locked, listening to music, reading a book, or simply calling a friend.
- Learn how to relax and practice before Christmas. Tense and release muscles in your hands, then your feet, then your legs and so on. Try a breathing exercise, breathing in through the nose, holding your breath for ten seconds then breathing out through your mouth and relaxing. If you find yourself panicking over Christmas then use one of these techniques.
- Dealing with hassles. Concentrate on the things you can change rather than worrying about the things you can't.
- Watch what you eat. Eating lots of rich food before you go to bed can ruin your sleep and make you tense and irritable. Try to eat your main meal earlier in the day and don't forget to eat lots of healthy fruit and vegetables.
- Exercise will help you sleep better and will also provide you with a distraction from your worries. If the swimming pool's closed then try running round the park with your dog or the children.
- Recognise it doesn't all have to be perfect. Some of the best times are had when things go wrong and you find yourself having to improvise instead!
- Distract yourself from your worries. If, on Christmas morning, you can't stop worrying about whether or not the turkey will cook in time, or whether Aunt Ethel's present is the right size - try distracting yourself for a few minutes. Useful distraction techniques include counting back from 100 in sevens, planning what you would do if you won the lottery, or just doing the crossword.
- Complementary therapies. If you're having problems relaxing try some lavender oil.
- Remember you're not alone. The chances are that you will know at least one other person who is going to find Christmas stressful. Why not agree to meet or talk on the phone? Sharing problems often helps, and you'll be assured that what you're feeling is perfectly normal.
Return to news releases 2000
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
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