It is almost impossible to get through Christmas without experiencing some level of stress.
For many it can be a time that brings financial pressure, stress, loneliness and can remind us of sad times in our lives.
There are practical steps which we can take all year round to look after your own and others’ mental health. Here are just a few:

• Don’t overindulge
• Take time to relax
• Fit in some time for exercise such as a gentle walk
• If you can, try to be around other people

This guide gives some handy hints and tips for surviving the festive season as well as useful information and telephone numbers in case you need support.

Self-care is an important step to help manage difficult feelings. When things seem a struggle, it’s understandable
that bigger self-care tasks can be difficult. Below are some tips to help improve things:

• Try activity scheduling and planning out your week, maybe breaking days into manageable sections.
• Try to think of things you should do to take care of yourself that you maybe haven’t had time to do recently, and ask yourself which of these are achievable.
• Remember it is okay to start with small objectives and when you feel more able - plan more challenging tasks.
• Be kind to yourself – self compassion is important – we often have high expectations and feel frustrated if we don’t meet them.
• Some days you may feel more capable and productive than others, at other times you may feel overwhelmed – this is okay and affects everyone at some point in their lives.
• It is important to show yourself compassion and kindness – be more forgiving of yourself when you feel overwhelmed – that way you can get back to feeling better quicker.
• It can be helpful to write down positive things about yourself when you feel good and then go back to them when you are having a tough day to remember how good you can be. There is only one you – take care of yourself.

Males are three times more likely to take their life than females. Suicide devastates lives across the country every
day of every week.

Access to health and social work services over the holidays

In Scotland most services will close for the two public holidays at Christmas and New Year.

• This year they will be closed on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th December 25th December 2022.
• They will close again on Monday 1st January and Tuesday 2nd January and reopen again on Wednesday 3rd January 2023.

Although there will be fewer staff in some of the services due to the holiday period, people who require support during this period will receive it through pre-planning. For social work emergency services call 0800 121 4114.

Remember to contact NHS24 on 111 if your GP surgery is closed for access to any health services.
In emergencies, A&E and 999 services will operate as normal.

To access information on health services over the festive click here or call well informed at 0800 073 0918.

• Aim for “enjoyable” not “perfect”. Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Don’t try to make it perfect.
• Recognise that being together 24/7 may cause tensions, and allow for this.
• Minimise “are we nearly there yet?” issues when travelling. It is disappointing to make travel plans in order to promote family togetherness only to get to the destination feeling stressed. Include pre-planned rest stops, drinks and snacks, music and books and lots of activities for the kids in the back. Travel off-peak if possible.
• Find time for yourself. Don’t spend all your time providing activities for your family and friends. If you’re a parent, remember you need to have fun, and aim for a balance of activities that meets everyone’s needs.
• Planning and teamwork: involve the family in plans and in the workload. Children can have some say, and parents’ needs count as well.
• Don’t try to do it all.
• Plan out what you need to do over the festive season.
• Make plans with services you are currently receiving such as health and social care workers, support workers or peer supporters.

Heading out

• Be prepared – ensure you have enough money for your day/night out and enough to get home if you plan on using public transport or a taxi.
• Carry a mobile phone with credit in it if possible.
• If you are drinking alcohol - know your limits - there is nothing wrong with having a good time but beware of what is going on around you.

Going home

• Try to arrange how you are getting home at the start of the night, either a lift, public transport or a taxi. If necessary pre-book a taxi for later on and tell friends when you are leaving.
• If you are close enough to home to walk then take care. Try to stick to busy, lit areas and not quiet, isolated areas. Also watch for underfoot conditions.
• Be careful with cigarettes in the home after a night out; ensure they are completely out before going to sleep.
• When drinking alcohol on a night out always have a way of getting home organised – never drink and drive, it takes very little to be over the limit.

Everyone can feel lonely sometimes.

Experiencing loneliness can be very different for each individual. People may choose to be alone and enjoy living that way, while others may find this a lonely experience.

Some people may socialise a lot or be in a relationship but still feel lonely.

Loneliness can happen to anyone at any time but certain experiences may increase the chances of feeling lonely such as bereavement, retirement, growing older, losing your job, a relationship break-up or at particular times of year like
Christmas.

Some people are more susceptible to loneliness. If you’re living in poverty, you may feel socially isolated due to money concerns. You may not have a support network of friends and family around you, or if you are a carer, you may find it more difficult to commit to socialising or if you have a long-term health issue. Feeling lonely is different for everyone and there is not always a reason for it.

If you are worried about loneliness: contact Well Informed on 0800 073 0918.

Local Support

• Well Informed mental health and wellbeing information service 0800 073 0918 
• Calm Distress online course  developed by NHS Lanarkshire’s Psychological Services. Over five friendly sessions, it will help you open up to day-to-day stress, recognise your warning signs, learn new ways to cope with distress and to keep it at bay.
• Occupational Therapy Community Clinics 0800 073 0918
• Benefits, Welfare & Debt Advice 01698 403170
• Elament Lanarkshire’s online metal health and wellbeing information website

Other numbers

• Samaritans 116 123
• Breathing Space 0800 838 587
• AA - Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555
• Narcotics Anonymous National Helpline 0300 999 1212
• ParentLine 0800 800 2222
• NHS 24 111
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 027 1234