As we approach our festive season, Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year but, for some, Christmas can be a stressful, lonely and a depressing time. You can’t choose when Christmas comes, but you can choose to help yourself get through it. Add to that the ongoing presence of COVID-19 in our lives plus financial worries it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and for your mental health to struggle.

Don’t expect that Christmas will be 100% perfect. Be honest and realistic about what you can expect. Jot down what’s important to you. Prioritise one thing at a time. Allow yourself to say no. Plan ahead and have some nice things organised that you’d like to do with others outside of family gatherings.

Most of us will be happy to have made it through the year in one piece so the focus should be on accepting yourself and where you are right now, in what is an ever-changing landscape. Try not to be hard on yourself for things you thought you should have achieved by now.

At times like Christmas, it’s easy to fall out of your normal routine. Your body clock can change and it’s not unusual to over-indulge in many different ways. As a result, your motivation can drop and you can feel sluggish.

Above all else, allow yourself to take some time out during the Christmas season. If you are feeling drained in any way, find yourself a quiet space to breathe. Take time out to rest and restore your batteries! Christmas might be all about giving, but that means giving to yourself too.

Wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas

Health & Wellness Committee Ahane GAA Club 🎄