Getting through the 'Twixmas' period
Dreena Collins of Jersey Recovery College shares advice on how to cope during the festive season.
The festive period is often painted as a time for celebration, but it can be difficult for islanders experiencing grief, loneliness or poor mental health.
The days between Christmas and New Year - sometimes referred to as 'Twixmas' - can be particularly unsettling, with usual routines abandoned.
Dreena Collins, from Jersey Recovery College, has shared some advice for those across the Channel Islands who may be struggling.
Try to keep some structure to your days
Dreena says: " If you're feeling low, those endless days can be overwhelming."
She advises islanders who feel well enough to try to do one thing each day - such as going for a walk, painting a picture, meeting somebody or making a phone call.
"One little bit of structure each day can help to mitigate that endless feeling of all of these days when it feels like everybody else must be enjoying themselves and partying."
Be kind to yourself
Another important message for those who are struggling is to show self compassion.
Dreena says: "Your feelings are perfectly legitimate and you need to look after yourself because you will only make it worse if you try to push that too far.
"People don't chose to be unhappy. People don't chose to have lost people - so don't feel too guilty if you're not participating."
Take time to do things you enjoy
There are certain things that are known to boost people's moods and make them happier - like being outside or in nature.
Dreena advises islanders who feel well enough to spend some time outdoors and keep up routine activities.
"Because of the lack of structure in this time, people can stop going for their jog or meditating, or doing yoga. Or just spending time alone with a cup of coffee - whatever it is that you do for yourself. Try to fit that back into your routine so that it doesn't become this huge void with no structure."
Connect with others
According to Dreena, feeling lonely can have as much impact on your physical health as something like obesity or being a heavy smoker.
She says connectivity with others is known to be a mood booster.
"Even if that just means chatting to the person who serves you petrol in the garage, sending a text message to somebody to enable you to feel connected to another human being, it will help to boost your mood."
Try to understand why people are behaving in a certain way
Dreena says that the presentation of somebody's illness can come out in different ways- stress can come out as anger or heavy drinking, depression can come out as seeming grumpy or moody.
"For us around supporting each other, it's important to look beyond the behaviour and think about the root cause of that so that we can show some compassion and kindness as well."
Don't be afraid to talk to people about how they are feeling
"People are scared sometimes to raise issues around things like depression or suicide," says Dreena. "Or issues about raising the absence of a loved one."
"Actually, it can be very powerful to do that. If you know and trust that person well enough to have that conversation, it's worth asking them and expressing that this must be a difficult time...because people appreciate that."
Offer practical help
When offering help to somebody in need, it is better to be specific about what you can do for them.
Dreena says: "If I was to say to you, 'Anything I can do to help?' it's still putting the onus on you to come to me.
"Whereas if I was to say to you, 'I'm making soup tomorrow, shall I leave some on your doorstep?', or 'I'm going to walk the dog - would you like to come with me?', those practical things can be much more helpful to people than the vague throw away remarks."
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