Be kind to yourself this winter

With the extra pressure the holidays can bring, worries and fears can seem even worse this time of year. Our charity partner, Samaritans, has gathered tips and resources to help you cope during the festive season.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s normal for the extra pressure of the holiday season to affect your mental health. There are numerous reasons you may find this time of year difficult, and it’s OK to feel this way.

No matter what time of year it is, it’s important to look after our emotional and physical well-being. Read on for Samaritans’ tips and resources to help you look after your mental health.

Pay attention to how you are feeling. Samaritans’ self-help web app can help you track your mood. It includes practical tips and techniques to help you look after your emotional health too

Think about the difficulties you may face this time of year. Are there things you can do that might help you cope? Are there things it would be helpful for you to avoid? Writing these down or sharing them with someone you trust can be helpful. Read Samaritans’ tips for practical ways to help yourself cope if you’re feeling low. 

Remember that it’s OK to say no. You don’t have to take part in things that may be difficult for you. 

It can be hard to reach out if the people around you seem happy when you aren’t. If you can, try talking to a trusted friend, colleague, or family member. If you don’t have family and friends close by or don’t feel like you have anyone to talk to, remember you’re never alone. Samaritans volunteers are here for you every day of the year, round the clock.

The festive season can be a wonderful time of year. But for some people, it's a time when feelings of loneliness, depression or anxiety can be overwhelming.

Please help us be there for people when they’re struggling to cope and feel like they have nowhere else to turn.

Please donate £5 to help Samaritans be there for someone this winter 

You can contact Samaritans for free by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org

Samaritans is a charity working to help those struggling to cope and reduce the number of people who die by suicide in the UK and Ireland. Samaritans volunteers are trained to listen and provide emotional support when someone is going through a difficult time. They don’t give advice or tell you what to do. They’ll listen without judgement so you can talk through whatever’s on your mind.

Find out more about our partnership with Samaritans.