The thought of going home for Christmas isn’t always an exciting one. Christmas can be a lonely and stressful time for a lot of people, particularly if you’re going home for the first time since you moved to university or if you’re staying in Manchester on your own. Whether you’re worried about financial stress, travelling, or leaving behind those new friendships and routines, here are my top five tips to keep in mind this Christmas to look after your mental health.
1. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling
Whatever it is that’s causing you anxiety or stress for holidays, try and talk to someone you trust about it. You might have a family member you can confide in or a trusted friend at home or in university. You will be surprised how many people can relate to feeling worried about Christmas, and sharing these feelings will lighten the load you are trying to cope with. Stay in contact with your trusted person over the Christmas period and let them be your first port of call should things go south. They may well be grateful to have you on the other end of the phone as well. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved.
2. Plan activities that YOU enjoy
The festive period can be a demanding time when it comes to plans, and we can’t always afford to cough up for every pantomime, Christmas market trip, and reunion drinks that get thrown our way. Its okay to say no sometimes to protect your peace and your purse strings by practicing the art of politely declining invitations and plans that you don’t want to go to. Instead, consider wholesome and affordable activities like catching up over hot chocolates and Christmas movies, or taking yourself out on a winter walk. Make time for yourself and the things that you enjoy, rather than forcing yourself into situations to please others. This is a pivotal step to ensuring that you gain some enjoyment out of the holidays this year.
3. Take a break from the uni work
It can be tempting to use the break to catch up on all your uni work, especially if you’re not feeling excited about Christmas. But locking yourself away in your room to get on with revision or assignments will likely leave you feeling lonelier and more isolated, as well as burnt out. It’s so important to give our brains a rest and not overload ourselves with work. You deserve a break, so even if you need to catch up over the Christmas period, make sure to schedule in plenty of days off to look forward to.
4. Keeping a routine
It’s normal for our routines break down over the holidays. Of course, most people don’t want to be on a strict timetable when its Christmas, however, keeping a few things in check could massively alleviate impending feelings of isolation and stress. Try to wake up and go to bed at similar times where possible, as this will improve your quality of sleep and therefore your mental resilience the next day. Simple morning and evening routines can do wonders for our mental health, even if that’s having a cup of tea and putting comfy pyjamas on before bed; they are an excellent form of self-care. Also, consider not “rotting” in bed all day. I know how difficult this one can be, but I can guarantee that just getting dressed and stepping outside will make you feel a little bit more positive (you can always get back into bed afterwards).
5. If you’re going to drink, drink sensibly!
For a lot of people, Christmas is a time heavily associated with alcohol. Don’t get me wrong, catching up with my old friends at the pub at this time of year is a lot of fun and something I really look forward to. But its important to remember that alcohol is a depressant and can have long and short-term consequences for our mental health. Especially if you’re already not in a great place, please remember to drink in moderation this Christmas and know your limits. If you’re worried about yourself or someone else’s alcohol consumption, visit drinkaware.co.uk . They have an online webchat and a telephone line for free confidential advice as well as lots of tools on their website.
Finally…
If you’re really struggling with your mental health, please consider reaching out for some help. The university has a free counselling and mental health service, as well as a 24-hour mental health helpline through Health Assured. You can call them on 0800 028 3766 at any time for support. More information about the universities support services can be found on the Student Support website.