Mental health and seasonal stress in the run-up to Christmas

Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? How many people have you got coming for Christmas lunch? What’s your favourite Christmas advert on TV? So many questions at this time of year, but how often do we stop and ask people how they are feeling in this hectic, emotionally charged month of December? In the rush to plan, buy, wrap, cook and deliver all the elements of Christmas, we must not forget that at the very heart of it all, there are real-life human beings. Not just that, but human beings with our own individual hopes, expectations, pressures, worries and fears about the festive season.

Sorting out the physical trappings of Christmas is all very well, but if we don’t also look after our own mental wellbeing – and that of those around us – the season can lose its atmosphere of joy and hope very quickly indeed. I’m not trying to put a downer on what is also a very exciting time of year for many of us. There’s nothing quite like seeing children eagerly anticipate a visit from Santa or looking forward yourself to some time off work to let your hair down and reconnect with friends and family. The good news is that if we can take the time now to think about mental wellbeing, we can help ourselves and others find joy and strength in the run-up to Christmas.

Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses revolve around providing training around supporting colleagues in the workplace to boost employee wellbeing and raise people’s self-esteem. Around one in six workers will experience stress-related depression or anxiety at any one time[1], while mental ill health costs the UK economy £34.9 billion per year and is responsible for 72 million lost working days.[2] Often the Christmas period can exacerbate mental health issues. People grow anxious about the cost-of-living crisis and being able to afford the forthcoming celebrations, worry about family rifts or feel concerned about how to cover their workload at a busy time of year.

If any of this is affecting your mental health at work, or that of a colleague, this month, there are things you can do to help alleviate the pressure. Make sure that everyone in your team can take at least some time off during the festive season. If annual leave requirements have not been sorted out yet, make this a top priority. People will feel calmer knowing when they can expect to have some time off to rest, recover and enjoy Christmas. Of course, some days will be more popular than others to have off, so encourage people to compromise where possible and work together to make sure that all team members get at least some of their chosen days off. If you (or a colleague) are worried about workloads and time off in general, speak to a manager to see how your working patterns can be changed to help you cope better – starting later or finishing earlier, for example, or looking into flexible working and remote access software to work from home[3].

Some practical tips to try

Other things that can help you and your colleagues handle stress at work during December is to find someone you trust to talk about your feelings with. This is a key part of the MHFA training – to equip someone with the right resources and skills to be that person and help point colleagues (or themselves) in the right direction to receive help. People often find that talking about a problem can make it seem less overwhelming. Other people may be able to help see new solutions for practical worries too. These could include how to sit everyone around the table on Christmas Day, what to buy for a difficult aunt or how to make sure that all your work gets done before you go off for the holidays. Getting things like this sorted out in your mind can often make a huge difference to your emotional wellbeing and mood.

Keeping active is also an effective way to protect mental health over Christmas. Despite the weather being colder and daylight hours shorter, you can still step out for a brisk walk at lunchtime or do some simple exercises at home or at the gym after work. This will help you feel more energetic and able to tackle the additional tasks that Christmas inevitably brings with it. The simple act of being outdoors can work wonders; watching the seasons change and seeing the beauty of nature within them can be extremely reassuring.

Encourage colleagues to use social media with discretion – and do likewise yourself. It is too easy to see the photos, videos and posts that people put up of unbridled festive joy, love and perfect piles of presents. Don’t forget that people like to put the best versions of themselves online – to the extent that this can often be misleading as to what they are really feeling and doing at Christmas. Don’t put yourself under pressure to compete as this can lead to increased anxiety and stress. If you do decide to post anything, be mindful of the effects that your content could have on others.

Eat, drink and be merry – but in moderation!

Eat well at work and at home – while the mince pies and sweets that people bring into the office to share are tempting, they must be balanced with nutritious, properly cooked meals at other times. Aim to leave your desk to eat lunch and keep healthier snacks on hand to help you resist the call of the more calorific festive food. Choose lighter options when out for Christmas meals with colleagues, clients or friends and family. This can also help you start January with less worry over whether or not you feel the need to diet.

Likewise, go easy on the alcohol at office parties and encourage others to do the same. The pressure on people to “eat, drink and be merry” hugely rises at this time of year, but you can still have a good time if you drink sensibly – or even not at all.[4] Alcohol can lower the mood significantly, not to mention cause serious problems around drink driving, associated drug use and heightened aggression. These are not issues that anyone wants to deal with at any time – and especially not over Christmas.

Finally, take time to recognise that Christmas can be a challenge for all sorts of reasons. It is fine – and perfectly normal – to feel heightened feelings of stress or worry. Likewise, it is just as fine to look forward to the season and all the joys it brings you and your loved ones. As with anything, balance is key, along with protecting your mental health and helping others to do the same.

If you would like to find out more about signing up to a MHFA course to support you and your colleagues in 2023, get in touch with me today.

I wish you, your loved ones and your teams at work a healthy and restorative Christmas.

[1] Source: https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/research-and-evaluation/mental-health-statistics/#workplace. Accessed 1 December 2022

[2] Source: https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/research-and-evaluation/mental-health-statistics/#workplace. Accessed 1 December 2022

[3] Source: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-07/How-to-support-mental-health-at-work.pdf. Accessed 1 December 2022

[4] Source: https://www.eata.org.uk/alcohol-abuse-christmas-period-toxic-mix/. Accessed 1 December 2022