5 Tips for Supporting your Mental Health over the Holidays

The festive period is a time of varied emotions — happiness, excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, overwhelm. With an endless stream of holiday plans, parties, and increased spending, it’s crucial to prioritise both your physical and mental well-being. Doing so will help ensure you enter the new year feeling refreshed rather than drained.

While it’s easier said than done, here are five tips to support your mental health as we head into the new year.

1. Set Boundaries Around Holiday Plans

The holidays offer a perfect chance to reconnect with loved ones, especially those you may not see often due to busy work schedules. Many people take a break from work commitments between Christmas and New Year, making it an ideal time for gatherings.

While this can be exciting, everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to social interactions. If you’re among those who aren’t yet comfortable with large gatherings — whether with family, friends, or otherwise —or if you simply prefer a quieter holiday season this year, setting clear boundaries is essential.

Depending on your circumstances, here are a few strategies to help you set boundaries and manage your holiday spending:

Assess Your wellbeing:

Before committing to any holiday engagements, take some time to consider everyone’s emotional, physical, and social needs — especially your own. Reflect on what you genuinely need to feel comfortable and fulfilled during the festive period, and use these insights to decide which events you can realistically attend.

Communicate your holiday plans clearly:

It’s important to communicate your holiday plans with family, friends, and colleagues well in advance. Being upfront about your intentions allows you to set expectations and makes it easier to decline last-minute invitations if necessary. If you choose not to attend an event, it’s perfectly fine to politely decline by expressing gratitude for the invitation and explaining that you have other plans—even if those plans involve a cosy night at home in your pyjamas.

Respect your boundaries:

The festive season is a time to reset and recharge. If you’re not feeling up to attending an event or function, give yourself permission to say no. It’s important to prioritise your well-being, and sometimes that means declining invitations in favour of rest and self-care.

2. Set Budgets (and Stick to Them)

The cost-of-living crisis has made finances a significant concern for many people this year. The festive season, while joyful, is also known for being particularly expensive, which can create pressure to spend beyond your means.

To manage this, consider setting a budget for each person you plan to buy for. Ask your loved ones to provide wish lists with three or four items they’d like to receive. This approach helps ensure that your spending is intentional, avoiding impulsive purchases or novelty gifts that may not be appreciated.

Another great way to save money is by organising a Secret Santa gift exchange among family and friends. This allows everyone to enjoy the spirit of giving while keeping costs down, as you’ll only need to purchase a few gifts.

3. Limit Your Offline, Online, and Social Media Consumption

During the festive season, many well-known shops and companies roll out annual holiday sales, deals, and promotions that seem too good to miss. However, these money-saving tactics can increase stress levels, especially when it comes to Christmas shopping. The sense of urgency they create can make consumers feel like they’re missing out if they don’t indulge immediately.

To counter this, try limiting the time you spend in stores or browsing your favourite websites. This can help reduce the number of times you’re directly targeted by these promotions and keep any overwhelming thoughts and impulsive shopping tendencies at bay. One effective strategy is to make a list of the gifts you need to purchase and either take one big shopping trip or spend a few hours online shopping in one go.

Social media is also flooded with people sharing the highlights of their lives — especially during the holiday season. While most people don’t intend to make others feel bad when posting their life updates, excessive social media consumption can leave us feeling left out, down, or even inadequate.

If you find yourself particularly sensitive to these feelings, taking a break from social media can be beneficial for your mental health during this time of year. It encourages you to be more present and reduces the temptation to scroll through other people’s curated highlights.

4. Stay Connected to Your Friends and Loved Ones.

The festive season can sometimes feel lonely and isolating, making it all the more important to reach out and connect with family and friends. Although it may seem daunting, staying in touch can help reduce anxiety and increase levels of serotonin naturally.

Being surrounded by loved ones and opening up about your stresses can greatly improve your mental health. You might be surprised at how many people are experiencing similar feelings, and sharing your concerns can foster a sense of mutual support.

In addition to friends and family, there are also numerous external resources available during this time of year if you need someone to talk to. Some of the most well-known helplines in the UK for all ages include:

• Samaritans
• Young Minds
• Breathing Space
• Mind
• The Silver Line
• Papyrus

5. Give Back

Giving back — whether to people, the community, or the environment—is a truly rewarding and fulfilling activity at any time, but it holds particular significance during the Christmas season and as we enter the new year.

Research suggests that dedicating your time and energy to those in need can create what’s known as the "Helper’s High". This term refers to the positive feelings associated with the act of giving, which is said to stimulate the brain’s mesolimbic pathway, or reward centre, releasing endorphins that boost happiness and enhance self-esteem.

Moreover, giving back can provide a greater sense of purpose. When we invest our time or money in something meaningful, it helps forge connections that can combat loneliness, support our wellbeing, and build stronger mental resilience.

There are many companies, charities, and organisations in need of support, donations, and assistance during this time of year. It’s worth spending some time on platforms like Volunteering Matters to find an opportunity that aligns with your schedule and availability.

We hope you have a happy and, most importantly, healthy festive period with family and friends!

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