Finding Balance at Christmas

Lexie Boardman

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The scramble for gifts, organising family get-togethers, and decorating to perfection: Christmas has become a major stress for many – and that doesn’t even begin to consider the extra pressures brought by Covid-19. ”Tis the season to be jolly’, but the festive season applies a massive weight on the shoulders of us all. Inevitably, it’s never going to be easy. So, what can you do to find balance at Christmas?

A survey conducted by YouGov in 2019 revealed that a quarter of people found their mental health worsened over Christmas time. This highlights that, pandemic or not, there is a vast group of people who find themselves struggling around this time of year.

A further survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Mental Health Foundation in 2020 can give us an insight into how Covid-19 has had an impact on an already challenging time of year for many. It found that nearly one in three adults reported that they were feeling anxious or stressed in the run up to Christmas, while only two in five said they were feeling happy, hopeful, or excited about the season.

…making someone you care about happy is priceless.

Financial pressure

Financial pressures are a major contributing factor. Personally, I want to buy the people I care about the best gifts possible because they deserve the world, but I am certainly not in a financial position to buy them the whole world! Even though I know no one expects me to buy them a wealth of pricey gifts, there is a somewhat undeclared expectation to give ‘the best’ or ‘the most’ at this time of year.

As much as you might find yourself wanting to spend every last penny on gifts, decorations, food and more at Christmas, you certainly do not have to. In fact, more often than not, the more budget-friendly options are just as good, if not better. I can almost guarantee that the person you are trying to impress, be it with a gift or something else, is going to love whatever it is you get them, and making someone  you care about happy is priceless.

Social pressure

Another big pressure that everyone faces this time of year is the constant expectation to socialise. The requirement to meet up with extended family and friendship groups can take its toll – socialising is exhausting at times. I find myself sometimes needing a nap after busy days of meeting up with everyone, even though it is always so nice to catch up. Something to hold onto when the socialising gets too much and you find your social battery is almost completely drained, is the fact that it is putting a smile on the face of people you care about.

Make your own script and bring back the Christmas magic…

The search for perfection

Perfection: the well-known myth that puts an unimaginable pressure on almost everyone. This unspoken requirement to make everything ‘perfect’ and do everything ‘right’. Spoiler alert: there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ Christmas, and there is most definitely no way to do everything ‘right’ when it comes to the festive season. You are probably familiar with the Instagram and Pinterest Christmas scenes, with trees dressed up, gifts wrapped so well it looks like art, an unbeatable Christmas dinner and more. While for the most part these are a bit impractical, no one expects to walk into your home and feel like they have walked onto a movie set. Make your own script and bring back the Christmas magic – do something unique that makes you feel happy, because that is certain to bring happiness to others.

One thing to bear in mind this festive season is that you are never alone in the way you are feeling. The pressure is turned up to the max, but there are ways through. Make time for yourself, practise self-care, go for a walk, read your favourite book – whatever it may be that helps you take a break from reality and escape from the Christmas pressures. Most importantly: always put yourself first, especially at this time of year.

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Featured image courtesy of Bob Dmyt on Pixabay. Image credit can be found here. No changes were made to this image.