The anxiety of Christmas 

Christmas and New Year can be challenging, especially as you enter your first Christmas and New Year alone. Not everyone has friends and family to fill the days up with, while others will become triggered by family conflict for whatever reason. Maybe you feel separation anxiety and dread the coming year. Here are some tips to help you through this period.

Rich or poor, the anxiety of being alone at this time of year can be a heightened burden. We all have a natural requirement to feel accepted, even if social anxiety is something you want to overcome in this coming year. Some will crave acceptance at any cost and experience the world, participating in fun for the next few weeks, feeling far from good and out of touch.

Do you want a meaningful 2024? I invite you to join me in finding your authentic self where your values and viewpoints matter. The people who have disrespected you in the past will certainly wake up and realise you are different as you stand your ground with new confidence. You will begin to attract the people you deserve in your life who will respect you for who you are.

Do you feel the tension as Christmas draws closer, the pressure of additional financial implications during the current economic crisis? Slow it down; the media portrays Christmas from a commercially sponsored background. It is not a competition to keep up in the process of getting into debt and paying interest rates long after the mayhem has passed. Yes, there is no doubt pressure if you have a young family. However, please remember there are valuable aspects to parenting, such as your time and genuine love, an opportunity to equip your children with the actual values of life instead of the instant fix of a credit card.

Whatever age you are, it is essential to remember the effects of food and drink on your mood, and if you have health conditions, this can be even more relevant; there is no need to escape difficult feelings by overindulging. Some people use alcohol to get in the party mood and tone down anxiety levels; remember to add water. Another good way to look after yourself is to get some fresh air with a good walk in nature; take the festive period at your own pace. Do not feel you have to get caught up in the rush of Christmas to please anyone.

The important decision is to make time for yourself daily and self-reflect. The festive period can be a great time to reflect on your meaning of life in place of what you might feel pushed into. If things begin to feel like becoming too much, remember any distraction techniques you have developed to bring you back in the moment.

Whatever your desire for the next couple of weeks, I hope your plans go well. Please stay safe and enjoy your time however you choose to spend it. If things turn for the worse, remember that help is available.