Looking after your wellbeing this Christmas

Festive celebrations can feel overwhelming, especially if it feels like you have too much to do or are under a lot of pressure. Here are some things you can do that might help relieve stress or anxiety:

• Call a number for advice and guidance.
• Explore MindWell to find ways of coping with anxiety, panic, sleeping problems and stress. Learn about the importance of finding time for relaxation or try out one of our relaxation and breathing techniques to feel calmer.
• Join a class or do a course – access online or face-to-face sessions that deal with a range of feelings, symptoms and helpful techniques.
• Join a support group – Leeds has a wide range of groups that can support your mental wellbeing.
• Looking for support in your home or local area? – find community services that can help.
• Try grounding techniques with our sensory comfort kit.
• Use a digital tool – go to Apps or join a safe online community.
• Find a counselling service – visit our page on counselling to explore your options.

Many people experience feelings of loneliness in December, but there are both online and in-person events in Leeds that can help you connect with others. Here are a few ways to connect:

• Explore MindWell to find ideas for connecting with others and for information about how to feel less lonely, groups and services, including for older people, and more ideas and links.
• Find a local social group – Leeds has a wide range of groups including creative groups, exercise groups, outdoor and gardening groups and regular wellbeing groups.
• Join a Meetup group – Meetup.com hosts a variety of groups where you can meet like-minded people, whether it’s through shared interests, hobbies, or festive activities. There are groups for every age and interest, from walking groups to book clubs.
• Attend community Christmas events – Many local churches, community centres, and charities host festive lunches, craft fairs, or carol services open to all. These events can be a great way to feel part of a community.
• Volunteer – Giving back to others can be a meaningful way to connect. Many charities and food banks look for volunteers over the Christmas period. Volunteering can help you meet new people while making a positive difference in the community. Find a volunteer opportunity.
• Use social media to stay connected – Joining local Facebook groups or forums can be a simple way to find out what’s happening in your area. Many groups post about upcoming events or informal gatherings, which can be a helpful way to meet people. See a full list of Leeds groups on Facebook.

Christmas and other festive celebrations can be expensive, and it’s tempting to spend more than you can afford.

Visit our debt and money worries section for:

• an overview of the support available in Leeds for anyone struggling with money
• advice on how to tackle your finances and where to go for help
• advice on how to look after your mental health while worrying about money

December can be especially hard if you’re unable to spend it with loved ones or if you’re grieving a recent loss. Grief is a natural response to loss and can bring up many overwhelming emotions that might feel difficult to manage.

If you’re struggling with grief, visit our bereavement and loss section for:

• information on the stages of grief and the feelings you may experience
• help with practical things like registering a death or organising a funeral
• self-care tips to help you navigate this time
• support services that can offer help and guidance
• information about other types of loss, like divorce, retirement or the loss of a pet

Other online resources:

• The charity Cruse also has more information about coping with grief at Christmas.
• Relate has information on dealing with relationship issues at Christmas.

There’s lots of temptation to overindulge with food and alcohol at Christmas. It can feel good in the moment, but can often leave us feeling hungover, sick and regretful the next day.

If you find you regularly eat or drink more than you’d like, try making a plan ahead of time and let others know when you’ve reached your limit. It’s okay to say “no” when you’ve had enough.

Alcohol is a depressant, which means that while it might help you relax in the moment, it can affect your mood and sleep in the long term.

It’s recommended to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across 3 days or more. That’s around 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer.

There’s no completely safe level of drinking, but sticking within these guidelines lowers your risk of harming your health. Try using Alcohol Change UK’s unit calculator to work out how many units you drink and watch this video guide to alcohol units.

If you’re worried about your drinking or think that you would like to cut down, you could:

• Swap out alcohol for warm drinks like herbal teas or hot chocolate to relax in the evening.
• Aim for at least 2-3 alcohol-free days each week to give your body and mind a break using the Drink Free Days app to help track your intake.
• Read these tips for safer seasonal drinking.
• Find more information on the NHS.uk website including tips for cutting down.
• Contact Forward Leeds for a range of support with alcohol or drug related issues, including access to counselling.
• Download the Drink Free Days app to help track your intake.

Practise self-care this Christmas. Try mindfulness, take time out for yourself, go for a walk in the fresh air.

Find self-care resources on the MindWell MOT page.

Visit Relationships Matter for couples and family advice on how to build healthy relationships, including how to handle arguments better.

Christmas can be a complicated time for blended families or stepfamilies. Find information and advice on Family Lives.

Take a breath and try meditation to relieve the stress of challenging family situations.

When you’re not in contact with family members, find support from the estrangement charity Stand Alone.

Children can struggle at Christmas, too. Explore MindMate, the mental health website for children and young people in Leeds.

Giving back is good for you! Find your next volunteer role on the Doing Good Leeds site, or check out our section all about volunteering in Leeds.

The Winter Friends scheme is also running again this year, encouraging us all to look out for one another, especially neighbours or family members who may need extra support during the colder months. Find out how to get involved.

Many people struggle over the festive period and at Christmas. Don’t be afraid to reach out. There’s always someone to talk to right through the holidays.

Find a support line open over Christmas or New Year or visit our Need urgent help? page.

You can also download and print our Festive crisis information to keep with you in case you need it: Mental health support – Christmas and New Year opening times 2024.