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Making Christmas Easier
While most people look forward to Christmas it can be a tricky time, including for young people struggling with eating difficulties. Whilst everyone wants to enjoy the holiday, increased difficulties are a very common experience in the lead up to an event with such an emphasis on food.
It can intensify feelings of anxiety, anger and anxiousness which can be overwhelming. The changes of routine and predictability can make things harder too so, we have put together a list of ways to make Christmas easier.
While most people look forward to Christmas it can be a tricky time, including for young people struggling with eating difficulties. Whilst everyone wants to enjoy the holiday, increased difficulties are a very common experience in the lead up to an event with such an emphasis on food.
It can intensify feelings of anxiety, anger and anxiousness which can be overwhelming. The changes of routine and predictability can make things harder too so, we have put together a list of ways to make Christmas easier.
There’s lots changes of routine at Christmas and it can be challenging to completely alter our normal routines, but that’s why it’s so important to keep some regularity and use your coping strategies which you know work for you:
Staying calm in such a busy time can feel completely alien but doing something kind for yourself each day can be really helpful to reduce your negative thoughts. If you know what works for you great, but if not here are some ideas:
- Play a game with friends or family
- Do a breathing or mindfulness exercise
- Reading
- Taking care of your pets
- Writing in a diary or journal
Speak to someone you trust who can help support you. It may be helpful to sit next to them at challenging meals so they can comfort and encourage you.
If you feel comfortable it can be helpful to talk to the people you’ll be spending time with about conversations that may be unhelpful. This could include comments around your appearance, portions or food, or even unhelpful talks about new year’s resolutions including, diets, weight or exercise. However, it’s not always possible to have this conversation in advance, so a quick way of shutting down an unhelpful conversation could be ‘that’s not a helpful thing to say to me right now’.
Even though Christmas can be challenging there are still some really great things to enjoy, and as a bonus they’ll keep you distracted! Doing some of these activities straight after eating can be really helpful, and it’s great to have some Christmasy activities to look forward to that aren’t based around food. Activities that keep your hands busy can be very helpful at focussing your attention away from unhelpful thoughts. Here are some ideas:
- Decorating the house and the Christmas tree
- Going to a carol service
- Listening to Christmas music
- Playing board games
- Going to a Christmas market
- Making an advent wreath
- Making Christmas cards or gifts
- Stick on a favourite Christmas film
Christmas may be different this year and accepting that can be difficult, it’s okay to feel anxious or unhappy. There’s a lot of unrealistic pressure to have a ‘Perfect Christmas’ and if we don’t feel happy all the time it can feel disappointing. You’re brave every day for dealing with your eating difficulties, including on Christmas day. One way to reduce some of the Christmas pressure can be to spend less time on social media.
- This could be anyone from a parent, school nurse or a teacher, they may suggest speaking to a professional.
- Asking for help can be really scary but it’s one of the most important tools in combatting difficulties around eating.
- Things can be difficult but you’re not alone. There is support available from those around you and from Children and Young People Mental and Emotional Wellbeing services. Charities including YoungMinds and Beat also have lots of helpful online resources.