Hey legend,
Today as I write this, we are 20 days away from Christmas day.🎄
Christmas can be such a triggering time of year for many people – those who are estranged from their families, those remembering loved ones who’ve passed away, those unable to see their kids, the homeless, the addicted, the incarcerated… and many more.
Loneliness and financial poverty can increase stress and exacerbate mental health issues. 🥺
The Christmas period can also significantly increase the risk of family violence due to substance use, stress and a higher frequency of family gatherings.
The increase of pressure to live up to expectations and buy presents they can’t afford can trigger an increase in mental health issues.
WA Police figures relating to 2020’s Christmas/New Year period showed:
⬆️ A 26.1% increase in police tasks related to family violence
⬆️ An 18.6% increase in the number of incidents involving children being exposed to domestic violence
⬆️ A 20% increase in family violence related investigations
⬆️ A 26.2% increase in the average daily number of victim protection orders issued
If you’re getting all geared up for the silly season and you’re looking forward to it, please keep these people in your thoughts. 💭
Offer help to those who need it – small or big, every thought counts.
It doesn’t have to be money, it could be an act of decluttering whereby you give something you don’t love anymore to someone who may cherish it.
Volunteer at a food bank, or homeless shelter.
Spent time talking to someone who looks like they could do with a friend.
The gift of kindness is a priceless one.
TIPS IF YOU FEEL THIS KIND OF PRESSURE
🎄 Give yourself grace. Acknowledge how you’re feeling and use tools to help push you through – spend time in reflection, journaling, meditating, time in nature, moving your body, reaching out for support. 🧘🏼♀️
🎄 Be kind to yourself and others when planning your movements over Christmas and do less, not more, so you can avoid burnout and reduce social anxiety and overwhelm.
🎄Use tapping – Emotional Freedom Technique. Just search in YouTube for free videos, copy what they say and where they tap. Just search “EFT, Christmas anxiety/stress” and use whichever videos resonate the most for you.
🎄Aim to keep any substance use to a minimum as it won’t help in the long term.
🎄Talk about how you’re feeling with someone you trust. If you can’t think of even one person, then use your journal and do a brain dump pen to paper.
🎄Manage conflict – if there are difficult dymanics between people you want to spend time with, consider catching up with them at different times over the Christmas week to avoid any conflict.
🎄Plan an activity to keep people distracted and engaged, and to keep the mood light.
🎄Help others – showing acts of kindness can help boost your self-esteem.
🎄Get support – if you’re finding yourself stuck and isolated over Christmas, reach out to someone for support – a counsellor, coach, trusted friend, or 24/7 helpline like Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800 RESPECT. 📱
🎄Use my freebies – I have a bunch of freebies I can send you to help you through this time – just comment/reply FREEBIE and I’ll send them over to you. 🫶🏻
If you’re fortunate enough to be spending Christmas with family and friends who love you, take some time to remember those who aren’t.
Be as generous with your kindness as you are with your gifts.
Presence is the best present some can hope to receive when they are struggling, so pay attention to those who may need some extra support this year.✨
If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone, even if it feels like you are.
I’d love to hear your tips on getting through a difficult Christmas, pop them in the comments. 💞
You’ve got this, and I’ve got your back.
Much love and hopes for an easy Christmas period,
