Managing the Holiday Season
Posted:
29 Nov 2023
For many of us, this festive time of year can be a wonderful time to connect and celebrate with family and friends. We recognise that it can also be a stressful time which might impact on our emotional, physical, or financial wellbeing. If Christmas is a challenging time, it’s important to remember that we are not alone and that there are many things that each of us can do which might help. Here are some sources of support to help manage the holiday season and look after yourself.
To help combat loneliness and isolation over the festive period, the central students’ union (Cambridge SU) produces a Winter Holiday Activities Guide which highlights activities and events in Cambridge as well as events organised by student clubs and societies that are open to all. If you have any suggestions for events you would like to be included, please submit them to the Cambridge SU.
- The Charlie Waller Trust has six tips for wellbeing at Christmas: Top tips for staying mentally well during Christmas and New Year
- Mind has information on Christmas and mental health including Christmas coping tips , Why Christmas is hard and Coping with money worries.
- The Mental Health Foundation also has Top tips for looking after your mental health at Christmas , which has links to videos on topics such as ‘talking about your feelings’, ‘do something you’re good at’ and ‘ask for help’.
- The Complete University Guide has some useful money-saving tips for Christmas on a budget.
- Head’s Together has ideas for coping with social anxiety, loneliness and bereavement in their Tips on looking after your mental health this Christmas.
- The charity BEAT Eating Disorders answers Five questions you might have about Christmas with an eating disorder.
The Wellbeing Team will remain available for support up to 5pm on 22 December and resume again at 9am on 2 January. To make an appointment, just email wellbeing@trinhall.cam.ac.uk
The University Student Support Services such as the University Counselling Service and the Accessibility and disability services will also be open until 5pm on Friday 22 December and open again at 8:30am on Tuesday 2 January. There will be a voicemail message between these dates signposting to available support options on: 01223 332865
The Cambridge SU also has a link for out of hours support.