Be Kind - It`s Christmas time.

Be Kind - It's Christmas time.

Christmas is a time of year where there are expectations to be jolly and cheerful, but in reality, it can be an incredibly difficult time for many people, even Santa.  There are many stressors around Christmas time that can leave people feeling exhausted, isolated and depressed. Environmental stressors like financial and time pressures, relationship and/or family expectations, distances from loved ones or feeling a lack of achievement as the year comes to an end. These are all valid reasons for not getting into the Christmas cheer.

There are ways to reduce stress during the Christmas season, the Better Health Channel have some recommendations including, planning ahead with present buying, having realistic expectations about family dynamics and maintaining contact even if distance from family is an issue. There are other great resources on hand with strategies to help reduce stress at Christmas time.

Whatever you are doing this Christmas be kind to yourself and those around you, it is a time of year that effects everyone differently.