How to cope with anxiety during the Christmas holidays

There is no shame in having anxiety

As someone who personally deals with an anxiety disorder, Christmas can be extremely intense and triggering.

You'll often find yourself burning out before the big day even arrives because your mind feels like it is in overdrive.

You're busier than usual which means your body feels pretty exhausted at the end of every day which gives your intrusive thoughts the perfect opportunity to attack.

It's nearly impossible not to reflect on the last 12 months without comparing yourself to others.

We'll belittle our own achievements, overthink how we spent the last year, and question whether we should feel accomplished or not.

But it's important to remember it is just your anxiety talking.

A therapist once told me that just because you think something doesn't mean it's true and I try to remind myself of that fact whenever I feel like my mind is whizzing with intrusive thoughts.

But how do we manage anxiety during the Christmas period?

There is so much mental health advice out there and it can feel overwhelming trying to wade through it all.

One key thing to remember is that one piece of advice isn't going to suit everybody, but finding the tools that help you manage is key in living with a mental health condition.

Some people find exercising beneficial, others believe therapy is the way to go and some find medication is suitable for them.

One of the best things you can do is start a conversation about how you feel because nothing feels worse than bottling it up and pretending you're okay.

You need to remember that there's no shame in struggling and it's actually completely normal to experience these feelings.

Unfortunately, we can't just switch off our mental health issues once Christmas songs start playing and decorations appear on Grafton Street.

"Sometimes speaking to a stranger about your issues can be easier than someone in your inner circle"

People need mental health care and support no matter what day it is so reach out to someone you trust or a professional if you're struggling this Christmas.

The team at SpunOut confirmed that speaking to a trusted person, whether that's your partner, a parent, or a work colleague, about how you're feeling can really help.

Knowing you're not alone in your struggles can instantly lift some of those intense emotions, even if it's just temporary.

The SpunOut team shared: "Talking to someone who isn’t involved in the stressful situation can give you a fresh perspective. Sharing your thoughts and ideas with them can help you discover new ways to cope with or approach your problems. The problem or stress trigger might not be resolved immediately, and that’s okay. Sometimes, just having someone listen to and acknowledge your feelings can help you calm down in the moment."

One of the best things I ever did was contact a mental health helpline when I was feeling hopeless and unbearably anxious.

You can reach out to SpunOut's 24/7, free, anonymous messaging service Text About It.

All you need to do is text HELLO to 50808 and you will connect with a volunteer who is there to listen and support you through your struggles.

Sometimes speaking to a stranger about your issues can be easier than someone in your inner circle.

You can also reach out to a counsellor or psychotherapist or your GP as they can refer you to appropriate, low-cost mental health services.

Find a full list of mental health supports in Ireland here.

Please remember that everyone deserves help and support and it's something you should not be ashamed of seeking.

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