Mental Health and The Silly Season

The Silly Season is almost upon us. This year, make Christmas a time for giving… yourself a break! It’s the most wonderful time of the year for most people but it can also be a stressful time for some. 

Does Christmas lunch with your extended family provokes a lot of stress or anxiety, especially when old uncle Harry starts dishing out some triggering slurs after a few wines too many? Try stepping outside for some fresh air for a few minutes. I also recommend trying square breathing during your time out. It has been scientifically proven to lower our heart rate and calm our nervous system down. Simply breathe in to the count of four, then hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four and repeat. Pefer to listen to someone with a calming voice do the counting for you? Black Dog Institute has a great 2-minute video on Youtube.

If you found these steps helpful and would like more support on strategies to overcome stress and anxiety, please make an appointment with your GP or mental health professional to discuss your specific needs. 

If however you still feel distressed despite trying the steps above, you can call Lifeline for crisis support on 13 11 24.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! 

Written by Dr Dana Phang. Dr Dana Phang is a GP and an accredited Focussed Psychological Strategies provider.