Crisis at Christmas: Coping with the winter blues (From Surrey Comet)

Crisis at Christmas: Coping with the winter blues

2:50pm Thursday 18th December 2008 in News By Eleanor Harding

Chris Black has volunteered for the Putney Samaritans almost every Christmas for the last ten years.

While revellers drink at pubs and parties, Chris and his colleagues spend their days and nights listening to those not having such a great time.

He says: “Some people are on their own and it would be nice if they could be with family and friends.

“Others are the opposite; they wish they were on their own.

“There might be family problems which come into sharper focus when everyone meets up.

“This Christmas we are seeing people with many worries. People feel they have to spend a lot of money, but they can’t afford to.

“We get moving calls where people are at their wit’s end. It feels good to help them.”

Christmas is an emotional time, and it can push people to the brink. Figures show divorce rates increase by 50 per cent after Christmas, when couples are forced to spend more time together.

In the midst of the credit crunch, professionals expect to see more families sinking into debt after splashing out on presents. National statistics show debt is strongly linked to mental health problems.

In a study conducted by the mental health charity Mind just after Christmas last year, 40 per cent of respondents felt more stressed and anxious and 25 per cent had increased feelings of depression.

But there are ways of reducing crisis at Christmas, as Dr Chris Hall, clinical psychologist at South West London mental health trust, explains.

He says: “After Christmas, you’ll have an increase in referrals to our team.

“Look after yourself as best as you can - and think about looking after others and giving to others.

“But if you are struggling, talk to someone. Visit your GP or call the Samaritans.”

Dr Hall’s top ten tips:

• Manage your stress by minimising what you have to do. If you say yes to one thing, you’ll have to say no to something else.

• Try to relax using the seven-eleven breathing exercise. Breathe in for seven counts and out for 11.

• When dealing with frustration think of the serenity prayer, often used by counsellors: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

• Keep positive, and connected with friends and family. Research has shown helping others can make you feel good too.

• To lift your mood, at the end of each day think of three positive things which have happened.

• Savour the moment; Christmas is meant to be a happy time so don’t spoil it by thinking too much about the future.

• Don’t be a perfectionist with bargain-hunting and present-buying. Research shows those who try to maximise every opportunity are less happy.

• If you are worried about debts visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) for advice.

• Don’t compare yourself or your family to other people. Be satisfied with what you have got.

• Call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for a listening ear.