Taking care of yourself and others during the Festive Season

Graham Foxwell • 5 December 2025
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Taking care of yourself and others during the Festive Season

Hi there,


I don’t know about you, but I find this time of year particularly challenging.


Whether it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or lingering feelings from past Christmases, I often wake up with deep sadness, dread, and anxiety. Over the years, I’ve learned ways to manage these emotions and get through them. By the time I get to work, I’m usually feeling much better.


So, the festive season is here, and while it’s a time of joy and celebration, it can also be pretty stressful and overwhelming. For many of us, it can be a particularly tough period. So, let’s make sure we’re looking after ours and others mental health and wellbeing during this busy time:


Don’t feel pressured to attend every event or meet every expectation. Make sure to carve out moments for self-care and time to yourself. Whether it’s a quiet walk, reading a book, or just relaxing, ensure you have time to recharge.



Acknowledge Your Feelings - It’s totally okay to feel sad, lonely, or stressed right now. Recognising our emotions is the first step towards managing them.


Stay Connected - Reach out to friends and family, even if it’s just a quick call or message. Social connections can provide much-needed support.


Seek Support if Needed - If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. See below for links to UK organisations that can help.


And most importantly, let’s look out for others who might be struggling right now. A small gesture, like checking in on someone or offering a listening ear, can make a big difference.


Take care of yourselves and each other this Christmas.


Wishing you all a supportive and understanding festive season!

Graham Foxwell


Places of support in the UK:

  • NHS urgent mental health support for immediate help via NHS 111 and local mental health services.
  • Mind for information, listening services and local support options.
  • Samaritans for 24/7 confidential listening support.
  • Shout text crisis support available 24/7 by texting SHOUT to 85258.
  • Hub of Hope national directory to find local mental health charities and services.
  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offering support for anyone struggling, with a helpline and webchat open daily from 5pm to midnight.

Thank you for reading this.

Please feel free to add your comments and share.

Graham


NOTE: Graham is available to give talks and training on this subject and others. Please get in touch here: https://www.cedartree-mhw.co.uk/guestspeaker-gf



#MentalHealth #WinterWellbeing #ReachOut #MentalHealthAwareness #SeasonalAffectiveDisorder #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #Cedartreemhw


(c) 2025 Cedar Tree MHW - https://www.cedartree-mhw.co.uk/




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