Christmas is wonderful in many ways. It’s a season where we spend time with our nearest and dearest, exchanges gifts, eat until we can’t eat anymore, and our social calendars are often jam-packed with parties, get-togethers and festive fun!

However, although the festive season is lots of fun, it can often be overwhelming for many, especially when it comes to managing financial concerns, forced socialising, loneliness and trying to fulfil expectations.

With this in mind, it’s essential that you take the time to look after yourself over Christmas. We’ve created a helpful guide outlining our top self-care tips!

Take some time out

The festive season is hectic, and you can often find yourself pulled in all different directions. Subsequently, it’s easy to find youself physically and mentally exhausted. With this in mind, you should take some time out to breathe, do something that you love, sleep and generally get some rest.

Spend the day helping those in need

Christmas time is the perfect time to volunteer, help those less fortunate than ourselves and spend some time helping others in some shape or form.  Many local charities need extra support over the festive season, with services such as serving and delivering Christmas meals to the homeless. Check out volunteering opportunities.

Sleep

Sleep is integral to your health and wellbeing, and ensuring that you get enough sleep over Christmas is extremely important for your mental health. So, don’t be afraid to leave the party early or grab the opportunity to have an early night when you can.

Learn to say NO

Christmas plans, activities or invitations can quickly take over your life. Not only that, they can cause added stress that you don’t need, especially if you are struggling financially. With this in mind, you should learn to say NO to plans without feeling guilty.

Always be kind to yourself

There’s no denying that this year has been incredibly difficult for everyone. People have faced so many challenges, heartbreak and financial difficulties. With this in mind, if you don’t feel like having an all-singing, all-dancing Christmas, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it.

Instead, be kind to yourself, do what is right for you and your family this year.

Don’t feel pressurised to go beyond your Christmas budget

Although gift-giving has become a massive part of Christmas, you shouldn’t feel pressurised to spend beyond your means! You don’t give to receive, and of course, you don’t want to be starting the new year in financial difficulty.

And remember, handmade gifts and sentimental presents far outweigh extravagant gifts.

Let your hair down

You should also ensure that you let your hair down over Christmas too! The festive season is the perfect time to relax and spend quality time with the people you love the most.

So, if you feel like it, Christmas can be a great excuse to have plenty of fun!

Home alone

Christmas can be a difficult time if you live alone. Whilst some people relish the peace at this time of year, for others, it can be a lonely challenge to spend Christmas alone. Not least when we are bombarded with images of the stereotypical family Christmas on TV and social media. For this reason, depression and anxiety can soar at Christmas. If you are alone and this affects your wellbeing during the Christmas period, you can reach out to support services such as The Samaritans.