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Looking after your mental health at Christmas

They say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but not for everybody. Christmas is often difficult for people who don’t have family or suffer from mental health disorders. Christmas isn’t just about presents, food, social gatherings and shopping, for some people, the thought of all this can trigger anxiety.

If Christmas is a challenging time for you, here’s some advice to help combat your negative feelings:

Open up to someone

Talk to someone you trust about your feelings and discuss what you think is the root cause of your problems. If you open up about your feelings, it’s a great starting point to get the help you need.

At General & Medical, we offer our customers access to complimentary 24/7 Health and Wellbeing services. Being physically healthy is one thing, but looking after your mind is a vital part of your overall health. Our GP advice line operates 24 hours, 7 days a week, there will always be a friendly and experienced doctor on the other end of the line to talk to you.

Make time for the things you enjoy

Pick up a brand new hobby or make a special effort to incorporate the hobbies you enjoy into your everyday life. Join an exercise group or club, meeting new people who share similar interests can be very comforting.

If you feel anxious in public places or around new people, why not try craft in the comfort of your own home? Knitting and crochet is very therapeutic for some and can even help lower blood pressure. 

Keep active 

Exercise increases the level of endorphins in the brain which helps reduce stress and anxiety. If your body feels good, chances are, your mind will feel better too. It’s so easy to incorporate exercise into our everyday routines, a simple walk at lunch will do the trick! If you enjoy running and can’t stand the thought of being alone this Christmas, check to see if there’s a local running event in your local area. ParkRun sometimes organise 5k runs on Christmas day! Find out more here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/special-events/

Take a social media break 

We often compare ourselves to social media influencers and celebrities who paint a picture of the perfect life, but this is often false. Make time for yourself and try not to pay attention to what others have. Switch off your phone in your free time and do something you enjoy, whether it’s reading a book, watching your favourite film or listening to music.