Christmas is here again, and while for many people it’s a happy time, it’s also very common to find the festive season difficult.

The idea of what Christmas ‘should’ be like can be the cause of pressure and stress, made worse by the bombardment of Christmas adverts on TV and perfect posts on social media. Negative feelings can feel hard to express this time of year but they’re more common than we think.

There are many reasons why people struggle at Christmas time, such as financial pressures, navigating difficult relationships, or struggling with loneliness. Whatever your situation, we’d like to offer some tips and point you in the direction of further help if you need it.

• Reach out to someone to talk about how you’re feeling. A problem shared truly is a problem halved, and they may be able to help you. This could be a friend, colleague or family member. If you feel you’ve no one to speak to, call a helpline such as Samaritans or Shout. Friendly operatives are available 24/7 to have a free, confidential chat about what you’re going through.
• Take care of your physical wellbeing. This can be tricky at Christmas time, with shorter days and lots of delicious food and drink! Even small actions, like spending 20 minutes in the fresh air every day, make a big difference.
• Take some time out. Christmas is an overwhelming time, it's easy to lose perspective and get lost in the expectations of what Christmas should be. If you struggle with this, it’s important to take time to reflect, breathe and spend some time away from your phone.

For further support and information, you’ll find a range of resources below. We wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas, from all of us at Abingdon and Witney College.

Who can help me over Christmas 24