Wellbeing Wednesday: tips for surviving the festive season

For many the festive season is a time of joy, connecting with family and friends and letting go of the stresses of the year.

For others, the holiday season can be a difficult one, there may be strained family relationships, expectations that are unrealistic and exhaustion from the end of a busy year.

To help you look after yourself this year, we wanted to share with you some simple but important self-care tips:

It’s ok to say no

We all have the right to choice and control, and with that also comes the right to say ‘no’ to anything that you are not comfortable doing or that you don’t find helpful

• maybe you can't afford to travel to see family
• maybe you want to help out in a charity for the festive season
• maybe you want to host a gathering for people who don’t have family around
• maybe you want to get away and have some down time by yourself without any pressure

All of those things are ok. It is important to know and respect your personal limits around being with family and socialising and recognise that it is ok to say ‘no’.

Take 5 minutes

If you notice yourself feeling overwhelmed by a situation, take 5 minutes out.

This will look different for everyone but some things you may consider include going for a walk, getting out by the water, spending time with your pet, making a cuppa, watching a funny movie, doing some deep breathing to ground yourself.

Do whatever helps you to relax and enjoy some down time before you get back into it.

Help others

Did you know that focusing on someone else’s needs releases a great amount of the feel good hormone oxytocin?

It will help you feel better not only about yourself but also the world around you.

It doesn’t have to be something huge, small of acts of kindness such as holding a door open for someone, letting a person go first in a line, or helping someone to their car with groceries, all make a difference.

Then there is giving…Kmart has a ‘wishing tree’ in every store where you can buy a gift for children or adults doing it tough this year, or there is the local salvos where you can give your time in their kitchen, or if you know of someone doing it really tough why not buy/make them a meal?

A little effort goes a long way when it comes to helping others.

Do something to remember the person you are missing

The festive season can be a painful time if you are dealing with grief and bereavement, it can be hard to enjoy moments of cheer with family and friends when you are missing someone. It is ok to feel guilty or sad at times when others are happy, it is all part of the healing process.

If you find yourself missing someone special in your life you could try doing something to remember them by. Why not cook their favourite festive food and leave a seat for them at the table while you enjoy the meal? You could take five minutes to light a candle in memory of them or look at photographs and old videos from previous festive seasons.

Be prepared though that sometimes doing something to remember a person you are missing may not feel the same as they used to with that person – that is normal.

Reach out for support

Most importantly remember there is always support available!

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline (5-25yrs) 1800 551 800
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• Beyondblue 1300 224 636
• QLife (3pm-midnight) 1800 184 527