Looking after your wellbeing this Christmas

Festive celebrations can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve got a lot on your mind or feel under pressure.

These ideas may help: 

• Call a helpline for advice, guidance or emotional support.
• Explore MindWell for information on coping with anxiety, panic, sleeping problems and stress. Learn about the importance of finding time for relaxation, or try our relaxation and breathing techniques to help you feel calmer.
• Join a class or course – choose from online or face-to-face sessions teaching a range of practical skills.
• Join a support group – Leeds has a wide range of groups that can support your mental wellbeing.
• Look for support in your local area – find community services that can help.
• Try grounding techniques using our sensory comfort kit.
• Use a digital tool – explore mental health apps or join a safe online community
• Find a counselling service – visit our counselling page to explore your options.

Some people use this time to rest and recharge. Others look for ways to feel connected. 

If you’d like company, there are both in-person and online ways to meet people in Leeds.

• Explore MindWell to find ideas for connecting with others, feeling less lonely, groups and services, including for older people, and more ideas and links
• Find a local social group – Leeds has a wide range of wellbeing groups and activities
• Join a Meetup group – Meetup.com hosts groups of all interests, ages and hobbies, from walking groups to book clubs and festive activities.
• Attend community events – places of worship, community centres, and charities often host lunches, craft fairs, or carol services open to all.
• Use social media to stay connected – local Facebook groups or forums often share events or informal gatherings. You can also join our local wellbeing events and activities group or see a full list of Leeds groups on Facebook.

There can be pressure to spend at this time of year, but kindness, time and thoughtful words can mean just as much as gifts.

Visit our debt and money worries section for:

• an overview of the support available in Leeds
• advice on how to tackle your finances and where to go for help
• advice on how to look after your mental health while worrying about money

This time of year can bring back memories of people we’ve lost or traditions that have changed.

Grief affects everyone differently, and support is available if you need it.

Visit our bereavement and loss section for:

• information on the stages of grief and the feelings you may experience
• help with practical things like registering a death or organising a funeral
• self-care tips to help you navigate this time
• links to services offering support and guidance
• information on other types of loss, such as divorce, retirement or losing a pet

Other online resources:

• Cruse – coping with grief at Christmas
• Relate – dealing with relationship issues at Christmas
• Full Circle Funerals – what to write in a Christmas card. Full Circle has more helpful blogs, including coping after a pet dies and music for wellbeing after bereavement. They also feature guides to practical matters and run regular online workshops. Visit Full Circle Funerals for more details.

There can be a lot of food and drink around at this time of year. You might choose to cut down, say no to alcohol, or take a few days off – whatever helps you feel well.

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can affect your mood and sleep.

The recommended limit is no more than 14 units a week, spread across 3 days or more (around 6 medium glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer).

There’s no completely safe level of drinking, but staying within guidelines can lower your risk of harm.

You could try using Alcohol Change UK’s unit calculator to work out how many units you drink and watch this video guide to alcohol units.

If you’d like to cut down or find alternatives, you could:

• swap alcohol for warm drinks like herbal tea or hot chocolate
• aim for 2-3 alcohol-free days each week
• read tips for safer seasonal drinking
• find guidance on the NHS.uk website, including tips for cutting down
• contact Forward Leeds for support with alcohol or drug-related issues
• download the Drink Free Days app to help track your intake

Take care of yourself this Christmas. Find ideas in our top 10 tips for winter wellbeing – from spending time outdoors and keeping a steady routine to finding moments of connection. 

You can also browse self-care resources on the MindWell MOT page.

Family and social situations can feel tense, complicated or simply exhausting. It’s okay to protect your energy and set limits around what you can manage.

These ideas might help:

• visit Relationships Matter for advice for couples and families on building healthy relationships, including tips to handle arguments better
• find support for blended families or stepfamilies on the Family Lives website
• take a breath and try meditation to ease the stress of challenging family situations
• explore ways to set healthy boundaries over the holidays to protect your wellbeing 
• if you’re not in contact with family members, find support through the estrangement charity Stand Alone

Children can find this time of year exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming for some. 

Explore MindMate, the mental health website providing advice and support for children and young people in Leeds.

Discover free festive activities and events in Leeds for ideas to help children and families get out and have fun together during the holidays.

Helping others can boost your own wellbeing and sense of connection.

You could volunteer, donate to a food bank, or join a community meal.

Find your next volunteer role on the Doing Good Leeds site, or check out our section all about volunteering in Leeds.

However this season feels for you, it’s okay. You don’t need to make everything perfect or celebrate if that’s not right for you – instead, focus on what brings you comfort or rest.

If things feel difficult, support is available. 

You can:

• use the Need urgent help? button at the top of every page
• check helplines open over Christmas and New Year, and download or print them to keep on hand

If you’ve recently moved to Leeds or you’re spending your first festive season in the UK, things might feel different or unfamiliar.

You can find friendly faces and support through services listed in our mental health and wellbeing directory

The New to Leeds website also helps people who are new to Leeds find their way around and explains how to get support.