Please share as it may help someone:
The Christmas and New Year period can be emotional for many. While it’s often portrayed as a season of joy, it also highlights loss, financial stress, loneliness, and brings emotions to the surface. What I try to share are areas to care for mental health through December and January, with a little advice and supports throughout the country.
1 – Coping with Grief and Loss at Christmas:
Christmas can be difficult time for those who’ve lost a loved one, it can be painful. The traditions and gatherings can bring memories and reminders of absence. Grief doesn’t take a holiday, it shifts as the country around us turns festive.
TIPS for those grieving:
- Acknowledge the Pain. Allow yourself to feel sadness, anger, or emptiness. Grief is love with nowhere to go.
- Create Space for Remembrance. Light a candle, cook a favorite dish, or share stories in honor of the person lost.
- Give Yourself Permission to Say No. You don’t have to attend every event or meet others’ expectations. Take breaks when needed.
- Reach for Support – Talk to someone who understands: a friend, counsellor, or bereavement group.
Support Groups Around Grieving:
Samaritans Ireland
HUGG – Support After Suicide: Offers peer-support groups throughout Ireland.
Anam Cara: Provides support for bereaved parents, both in person and online support –
Grief is not something to ‘get over.’ It becomes part of who we are, keeping loved ones present in memory. Permission to feel, remember, and rest allows healing to unfold naturally.
2 – Emotional and Mental Health Challenges of the Season
A second area is Christmas can bring financial strain, and tensions. For some there are gaps between expectation and reality. Even people who seem surrounded by others may feel lonely or low. Recognizing these patterns helps reduce shame and build resilience. If someone is feeling low, talk to someone. A friend, a family member, a doctor, or a therapist.
- Financial Strain is another area, Gift-buying and social costs can cause stress, and shame. Budget realistically and know your boundaries.
- Then you have Loneliness, Isolation intensifies around Christmas, people are home, busy coming and going, it can be difficult for some, the liveliness of Christmas can make some more lonely. Reach out for support or volunteer for community connection. Go for a walk, talk to a friend. Samaritans Ireland answer around 35,000 calls each December, with 38% mentioning loneliness / mental health issues.
- On Christmas Day alone, Samaritans receive over 1,000 calls nationwide.
- Pieta House reports helpline calls rising by 45% over the Christmas period.
- The month can bring an Emotional Overload. Balancing family dynamics, & events can be draining. Make rest part of your plan around Christmas.
Routine Disruption is a thing, check in around selfcare: Sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits, these often falter, affecting mood and stability around Christmas.
3 – CELEBRATIONS AROUND DECEMBER –
Christmas brings an increase in alcohol and drug use. While celebration is natural, it’s important to stay aware of how substances impact mood, relationships, and emotional regulation.
- Know Your Limits, beware of how much you drink. Alcohol can lift mood temporarily, then lower it afterward, leaving the blues, hangovers, or sometimes the fear.
- Plan Before You Party, Mark your limits, arrange transport, and plan an exit if needed to avoid social pressure.
- Alternate or Abstain, Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or try alcohol-free days.
- Watch for Emotional Triggers. Alcohol lowers awareness and can escalate tempers. Protect your peace.
- Avoid Using Substances, Using drugs or alcohol to numb pain can increase anxiety and depression.
- Say “No” to peer pressure, friends should be respectful to peers who do not want to participate in alcohol or drugs.
- Create Connection Without too alcohol. Plan activities that don’t revolve around alcohol or substances. Last year I did 8 out of the 12 dips in Ballybunion beach with my cousin. Only fabulous. Some lovely hikes, walks, about Kerry & Ireland, connect with nature.
Navigating the Season Mindfully
- Set Realistic expectations. Let go of the idea of a perfect Christmas; focus on what matters. Spend time with family and friends in a healthy, balanced way.
- Plan Ahead. Identify triggers or stressors early and plan self-care strategies. Balance a healthy lifestyle. Diet, alcohol, exercise, sleep, try not to burn out over Christmas. Recharge and rejuvenate.
- Keep healthy Practices Alive. Diet, exercise, sleep, water intake,
- Balance the Holidays. Include walks, exercise, and rest to support mood and resilience.
- Post-Holiday Low, January can feel flat or anxious after the build-up and overstimulation of December. I recommend embracing the new year, and it’s a good time to start good habits, 21 days is what we need to start a healthy habit. I am not saying put pressure on yourself for January, but start small, little walk 5 mins a day for a week, then up it to 10 or 15 mins the second week. Movement is the enemy of the blues.
Helplines and Support:
- HUGG (healing untold grief groups) – Support After Suicide: its available online and in person – 015134048, hugg.ie
- Anam Cara: is another group that provides support for parents who lost a child – its available in person and online in a group platform. anamcara.ie
- Samaritans – Free 24/7 Emotional support. Freephone 116 123.
- Pieta – Free 24/7 crisis support. Call 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444.
- Aware – Support for depression and bipolar disorder. Freephone 1800 80 48 48 (10am–10pm daily).
- For urgent crisis – Call 999 or 112, or attend the nearest A&E department.