Helping yourself and others this Festive Season

A Christmas Message from Steve Bastoni

The festive season for most of us is a time to relax, enjoy summer and spend time with family and friends. I’ll be looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my new son, his brother and my lovely wife.

For many, it’s a time to celebrate and reflect on the achievements of the past year. For others, Christmas can be a difficult and stressful time. It’s important that we consider those who are experiencing tough times and do whatever we can to support them.

If you know someone who might need support this Christmas, take that step to connect with them and encourage them to access services that can provide them with care.

Anyone experiencing emotional difficulties this festive season can call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.

I would also like to encourage others to support the work of Lifeline by making a financial donation this Christmas. You can help to ensure that when someone out there needs support – maybe even someone you know – it will be available to them.

Donate to Lifeline by calling 1800 800 768 or visit the Lifeline website.

Help Lifeline saves lives this Christmas.

Steve Bastoni – Lifeline National Advocate

Lifeline would like to thank Steve Bastoni and all of our Ambassadors and Advocates for their support and contributions in 2009!

The challenges and stress of Christmas

Christmas for a lot of people is a time for celebrating with family and friends and a time to relax. However, for some, the holiday season can heighten feelings of isolation or loneliness, and issues relating to financial problems, illness, relationships or loss can intensify stress associated with this time of year.

It is important to take the appropriate steps to ensure that you, as well as your family, friends and colleagues stay emotionally safe over this period.

First and foremost, it is important to be aware of your own limits and to recognize the signs of stress, anxiety or depression - these can include symptoms such as irritability, tiredness, loss of appetite etc. About 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health problem that requires professional treatment at some time in their life. Many more will experience times of crisis, stress, depression or anxiety. It is important to know that you don't have to face these problems by yourself - help is available. Seeking help can be anything from chatting to a friend to obtaining advice from your GP.

For those who have lost a loved one, through death, relationship failure, or relocation, holidays can be especially difficult as they can reawaken the grieving process. A holiday may mark the anniversary of a loss, such as the first Christmas without that particular person. There isn’t any gauge or measure of how long you will feel pain after a loss.  It is important to take time to grieve properly. It is not healthy for you to ignore these feelings as it is likely to only prolong the pain. One tip that may help is to dedicate an activity or moment during the holiday season to reflect on the time spent with that particular person.

For those who are already experiencing financial problems, Christmas can be an increasingly difficult time. Seeking advice on how to budget over this period can help.  Keep in mind that Christmas is about spending time with family and friends, and not necessarily the money associated with it.

It is important for everyone to be aware of their feelings and to stay “safe” over the Christmas period. Look after yourselves and also keep an eye out on those around you who may need some extra support during the festive season.

Tips for relieving the stress of Christmas:

• Take time out for yourself; do something that makes you feel good
• Limit alcohol and other drugs. There can be a temptation to drink too much at Christmas, but alcohol can fuel arguments and cause unwanted behaviours.
• If you are feeling down or stressed, tell someone how you are feeling, e.g. friends, family or colleagues.
• If you are feeling depressed, don’t feel afraid of seeking professional help; it takes a lot of courage to ask for help. Call a helpline, talk to your GP or speak to someone at your local church or community group.
• Try to avoid stressful situations or plan ahead to ensure you are prepared for them.
• Understand that it is common for people to feel stressed at this time of year. This could include your family and friends too.
• Know your limits and have a plan for dealing with stressful situations. If you need to calm down, perhaps a walk, some time out on your own will help.
• Try not to expect too much – aiming for the “perfect” Christmas or assuming that everyone one will be on their best behaviour may not be realistic.
• If times are tough financially or for other reasons, make time to sit down as a family and plan a Christmas that is reasonable.
• If things just seem too much, you can talk to a Lifeline telephone counsellor on 13 11 14, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Your wellbeing over the Festive Season

The importance of maintaining our physical health is often promoted in magazines, on television and in community service announcements. We are also familiar with "three fruit and five veg a day" concept. A program originating in the UK has come up with the equivalent of this concept, but specifically for mental wellbeing. The following "five ways to mental wellbeing", may provide you with useful advice about looking after yourself this Christmas:

1. Connect…

With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

2. Be active…

Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

3. Take notice…

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflect on your experiences to help you appreciate what matters to you.

4. Keep learning…

Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

5. Give…

Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

- Courtesy of the UK Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing

Key Contacts:

Lifeline

Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
www.lifeline.org.au

Kids Help line

Phone 1800 55 1800 (telephone, web and email counselling service for 5 to 25 year olds)
http://www.kidshelp.com.au

MensLine

1300 789 978 (24 hour confidential telephone support, information and referral for men with family and relationship problems)
www.menslineaus.org.au

Lifeline Information Service

Mental health information and self help toolkits on a range of issues such as suicide prevention and depression are available at www.lifeline.org.au/infoservice