'Tis the season to be jolly, but sometimes it doesn't always feel that way. If this time of year feels a lot, know this: it's just as overwhelming for those around you - yes, even those with perfect Instagram photos and Vlogmas videos. That's where coping techniques for anxiety come in - simple ways to keep your mental health in check at an undoubtedly stressful time of year.
A study by Mind confirms that many find the Christmas period stressful, due to money worries, debt and loneliness. "The Christmas season often brings with it high expectations and pressures, with many people feeling the need to create a "perfect" Christmas," explains Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. "This pressure is often made worse by the desire to share these idealised moments with friends and family on social media. When reality doesn't match these expectations, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy or failure."
