Here’s our tips for staying well during the festive season 🎄
19/12/2018
Christmas is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year”, isn’t it? It certainly can be; but the obligations and pressures of this time can become overwhelming, for anyone.
If you find yourself struggling during the festive period, these pieces of advice from the L&S Mind team might just help you through.
(And if you or a loved one needs more serious mental health help, you can find a list of helpful crisis lines at the bottom of this page.)
***
Try and get out for a Christmas stroll – or if you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, why not check out your local Park Run? They’re free to take part in, and you can walk, jog or even volunteer if you don’t fancy the run. Exercise, especially with friends and family, is one of the best ways you can boost your mental health: especially around Christmas.
– Ajay Khandelwal, CEO and Clinical Director
Keep yourself safe, but enjoy this time; stay in contact with loved ones if you can; and be kind to yourself.
The most important thing to do is to try and avoid stress and putting too much pressure on yourself.
– Venus Caesar, Information Service Volunteer
Take some time to look up at the sky. See the beauty and touch the beauty within.
Also, try volunteering at Christmas – being with others can warm your heart, and theirs too!
“Stay Connected” sprang to mind loud and clear!
– Jacqueline Best-Vassell, Southwark User Council (SUC) Manager
Whoever you’re spending time with at Christmas, try to be honest with them if you start to feel overwhelmed. Listen to your mind, listen to your body, and don’t struggle in silence.
– Megan Fereday, Head of Fundraising and Digital
Crisis Lines Roundup – for emergency mental health help this Christmas (from Mind.org)
☎ Samaritans to talk about anything that is upsetting you
116 123
☎ SANEline if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health problem
0300 304 7000
☎📱 The Mix if you’re under 25
0808 808 4994 / Crisis Messenger service
☎📱 Papyrus HOPEline if you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings or self-harm
0800 068 4141 / text 07786 209 697.
☎🖱 Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) if you identify as male
0800 58 58 58 / Webchat service
☎ Nightline for students: night-time listening service.
Click above to find your university’s Nightline.
☎🖱 Switchboard for LGBT people
0300 330 0630 / Webchat service
For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. Mind’s Infoline can also help you find services that can support you. If you’re outside the UK, befrienders.org lists emotional support helplines around the world.