TO ALL those celebrating Christmas, I wish you the very best that the day has to offer. To those who aren’t, I hope you are using the day to relax and spend time with your loved ones anyway.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have always been my favourite days of the year, for different reasons throughout my life. Of course, when I was a child, it was for all the presents and now it’s spending time with family, Christmas decorations and the amazing food. For the lucky ones, Christmas brings a much-needed break, family traditions, presents, the movie ‘home alone’- basically every year unites generations and creates a lifetime of memories. This typically creates better moods all around

I love Christmas because it encourages generosity, gratitude, kindness and forgiveness. You do not have to conduct scientific studies to come to the conclusion that giving and receiving gifts come with an emotional high. Forget receiving for a second, the selfless act of giving strongly correlates with happiness and has uncontrollable benefits. We all know that feeling of giving someone special a gift that we know they will love. I believe that money cannot buy happiness unless you spend it on other people. Kindness and giving are contagious. When we give, we aren’t only giving to the immediate recipient but we are creating a ripple effect of kindness and generosity that may reach even hundreds of other people which we have not yet met. Be a part of that chain!

I am certain that I smile and laugh more at Christmas than any other time of the year. This is great as my research shows that a good belly laugh lowers blood pressure and stress while it increases mood and general immune system functioning.
The season encourages socialisation. We actually see most of our friends and family face to face rather than on a screen. This type of communication drastically improves our mental health and physical well- being. The season is also a baby booming one – my research shows that contraception sales double in December. Slightly inappropriate I know but completely true.

However, what I think about the most now is that mental health does not take a vacation for the holidays. We all experience the added stress that the holiday brings – financial stress, the constant socialising and the excessive intake of food and alcohol. It takes a toll on everyone – whether or not they have a mental illness. If you feel this way, I want you to know that you’re not alone and I hope this piece can provide some sort of relief and maybe even joy.

Also, a friendly tip, if money is tight you don’t have to get someone an actual present. Offer to cook for them, babysit, help them with a job or work assignment. Believe me, they will probably appreciate that even more.

If you are still worried about how you’re going to get through the day and the remainder of the season, here are some simple tips for keeping your Mental Health good and stable.
Practise moderation is probably the most important piece of advice. Don’t overindulge in alcohol or food, no matter how tempting. Keep exercising and sleeping well for the positive endorphins they bring. Decide which events and activities are the most significant as to not exert yourself- you come first.

I also think a somewhat pessimistic (but important) piece of advice is to have realistic expectations of the holidays. We all get overly excited and anticipate the best. However, this can lead to disappointment we don’t need. Understand that the same stress you feel, others are feeling that and more. It’s okay for things to go wrong here and there.
Although Thanksgiving is the holiday for gratitude, we can still see Christmas as a day or whole period to count our blessings.

I do believe that we all want to feel happy, loved and at peace and what better time to push for that than now, when the feelings of joy and appreciation are everywhere we look – the decorations, the joyful words and songs streaming through our radios and television? Whether we officially celebrate it or not, let’s try our best to remain positive and hopeful.
Thank you for reading. Please email any topics you want discussed to caitlinvieira@gmail.com