Wrapping up for the holidays

Top tips for preparing for the festive season

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, the festive season can be a difficult time of year for some of us.

You might feel isolated being around others who seem happy and excited if you don’t feel the same way.

You may also be feeling worried about the work you need to do before or after the break, or if you're working over the holidays.

We’ve shared some tips for managing your mental health during this busy time.

Concentrate on time-sensitive tasks and make a list of things that can wait until the new year.

Make sure you take regular breaks during your day to avoid burn out.

Focus on the positives. Reflect on your successes and acknowledge your accomplishments throughout the past year.

Consider things you can put in place to look after your mental health in the new year. For example, blocking out your lunch break in your calendar or adding a reminder to leave on time.

If you’ve got time off, give yourself time to switch off, unwind and relax. Consider turning off notifications if your work emails are linked to your phone.

If you’re working over the festive period, work out your priorities to lessen the load over these days.

Find more advice and support on looking after yourself over the festive period.

Read our Christmas coping tips