How to survive Christmas
Whilst Christmas is a time of joy and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, for many of us this can be an extremely difficult time both emotionally, psychologically and financially. Christmas can be a time for celebration, but it can also be challenging, so whatever this festive period means to you, it is important that everyone feels able to manage their mental health & wellbeing throughout the holidays, which doesn’t get in the way of enjoying the time of year.
Challenges at Christmas time
1 in 10 people feel unable to cope at this time of year. Not having people around us can feel more difficult at Christmas when there are lots of images of families and friends together. For some, despite having people around they can still lonely. This may be because people hide their feelings or be a different person around certain people.
For some of us who have caring responsibilities or have mental or physical health issues we may feel we cannot or don’t have the energy to join in with the celebrations at Christmas.
People being in hospital or a care home or abroad and away from family may also prevent you from seeing people you love. We may be struggling financially and taking out loans or gambling as a way to increase our income over the festive period. Below are some useful resources to help navigate the festive season:
Managing relationships and emotions
How to decide whose family to spend Christmas with | Relate
Can your relationships survive Christmas? | Relate Take the Quiz
https://www.essexcompass.org.uk/ – Domestic Abuse
https://survivingeconomicabuse.org
Boundaries and self care
UnhelpfulThinkingHabitsWithAlternatives.pdf
https://www.uky.edu/hr/sites/www.uky.edu.hr/files/wellness/images/Conf14_Boundaries.pdf
5 steps to mental wellbeing – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
https://www.livehealthily.com/blog/12-days-of-self-care
Managing alcohol, drugs and gambling harm
Twelve tips to stay safe this Christmas | Drinkaware
Open Road Visions | Drug & Alcohol Recovery Service | Essex & Medway
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/families-affected-by-harmful-drinking
https://gamharm.com/support-%26-advice
https://www.eofegamblingservice.nhs.uk/
Coping with grief at Christmas
Tommy’s – The pregnancy and baby charity
Aching Arms – ~Baby Loss Bereavement
Mental Health Support
Essex Wellbeing Service – Essex Wellbeing ServiceEssex Wellbeing ServiceEvery Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Your mind plan (www.nhs.uk)
https://thehavenproject.org.uk/
Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
If you’re worried about someone else this Christmas | Samaritans
Welcome | Samaritans Self-Help
Free, 24/7 mental health text support in the UK | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org)
https://mnessexmind.org/how-we-can-help/out-of-hours-crisis-support/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/bereavement/
https://www.rd.com/list/free-meditation-apps/
Online support for unpaid carers | Mobilise
Managing finances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_p9l8IVSh8
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/christmas-savings/
Tips for everyday living | Christmas coping tips | Mind
Food Banks
Food banks play a vital role in supporting local residents by providing reliable access to nutritious food during times of financial hardship. They help reduce food insecurity, ensuring that individuals and families do not have to choose between essential needs like housing, healthcare, and meals. Beyond immediate relief, food banks strengthen community resilience by offering support services, partnering with local organisations, and fostering a sense of solidarity among neighbours. Here is a list of Food Banks available across Essex
Where Are The Essex Food Banks? – Essex Portal
Free food and food banks | Disability charity Scope UK
Safe Travel
The Festive Friend anti-drink drive campaign aims to lower unnecessary road death, due to drink driving. , James Haskell,educates a group of young men on the importance of being a good mate and planning their journey home ahead of festive drinking.
An analysis of collision data shows that young men are sadly most affected by drink driving, with at least 258 men under the age 40 killed or seriously injured in drink driving crashes on Essex roads, over the last ten years. This campaign forms a strand of SERP’s strive to Vision Zero, the shared objective of no death or serious injury on Essex roads, by 2040.
Plan ahead:
Before you even consider a night out, it is important to know your limits. By planning ahead, you can make responsible choices, and keep yourself, and others, safe.
Book a reputable taxi, know the bus times, or download the Travel Essex App: Travel Essex – Apps on Google Play
Published: 15 December 2025
