Well-being over the Christmas period

No matter how, or if you celebrate Christmas, it's normal that this time of year can be hard.

There are lots of reasons why we might not feel the Christmas spirit; feeling overwhelmed, health problems, loneliness, social anxiety, family issues or bereavement are just some of these.

It's not just elderly people who can feel lonely at Christmas. All of us can find it tough if we have troubles within our family or feel ignored by friends. 

If you feel lonely or left out this Christmas:

• Reach out to any of your friends. Some of the best Christmas memories come from others extending their families to include close friends. If you can't see each other in person, maybe you could arrange a phone or video call?
• Check out events and activities in your local area. Check our What's On guide and Family Hub timetables for events happening in your neighbourhood. But it's a good idea to check with the organiser or hub that events are going ahead before making a special trip.
• Volunteer to help others - offering your spare time to help those less fortunate can help you meet lots of new people and looks great on your CV. Check the Volunteer Bradford District page for more details.

Anxiety can show up in your body as a fast heartbeat, feeling dizzy, struggling to breathe, shaking, or feeling sick.

Social anxiety means feeling very scared or worried when you have to talk to or be around other people, whether that’s face‑to‑face or online. Things like parties or family gatherings can be fun for some people, but for someone with social anxiety they can feel stressful and exhausting, especially when there’s pressure to act cheerful.

If a social situation becomes too much, it’s okay to step away and take time alone until you feel calmer. If you feel an anxiety attack coming, most people will understand if you say you’re not feeling well and need to leave.

Tips to help manage anxiety:

• Take slow, deep breaths. It only takes a few seconds and can help your body calm down.
• If you know something will be too overwhelming, like a group chat or a family event, listen to that feeling and decide whether you can handle it.
• Know your limits. Think about which situations you can manage and which ones you can’t.
• Don’t let pressure from others push you into going somewhere that might trigger an anxiety attack. Be honest if something feels too difficult.
• Don’t bottle up your feelings. Talk to someone you trust and let them know you need support.
• Check out the Healthy Minds website for more information on anxiety and ways to cope, as well as local services that can support you.

Part of what can make Christmas so hard to deal with for many is a difficult home life.  There are no simple solutions but please remember:

• Remember that not everything is as it seems on social media; try not to compare yourself with others. It may look like others are having a great time, but many are coping with difficulties of their own; what you see is not always the whole story.
• Be kind to yourself: It’s ok to have sad, angry or disappointed feelings about Christmas and what it brings up for you.
• Look after yourself: If you are old enough to drink alcohol, don't drink too much. Also, try your best to eat some healthy food, and focus on getting enough sleep, sunlight and exercise.

If you do need any further support around improving your relationships, we have lots of helpful information and free resources: Relationships Matter

If you're a young person affected by family relationships, there is support for you too, visit Relationships matter to young people

Whether it's your first Christmas since a loved one died, or you lost someone many years ago, Christmas can be a particularly painful time. According to Cruse, you might want to:

• Consider different ways of celebrating
• Find ways to remember them
• Accept that others may have different ways of grieving
• Try to maintain a routine
• Look after yourself - avoid the temptation to drink too much or use drugs to numb the pain
• Take a break from TV and social media
• Talk to the bereavement charity Cruse on 0808 8081677 - they are open every day over the festive period. Click here for more information on the bereavement helpline.

Some people are at particular risk to the effects of cold weather:

• people aged 65 and older
• babies and children under the age of 5
• people on a low income (so cannot afford heating)
• people who have a long-term health condition
• people with a disability
• pregnant women
• people who have a mental health condition

If you are in one of these at-risk groups, it's important to get medical help if you feel unwell.  The sooner you get help, the sooner you're likely to get better.  Help and advice is available from:

• a pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor
• your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to
• NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do

Consider getting vaccinated to boost your immunity against COVID-19 and flu. You might qualify for a free vaccination.

For more information on how to stay well this winter, please visit the NHS seasonal health page here. 

Our Family Hubs across the district are also designated Warm Spaces, please see below for more information.

Family Hubs are here to support families across the district. Our main family hubs are open as normal, except for:

• Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December
• Boxing Day, Friday 26th December
• New Years Day, Thursday 1st January

Our Hubs are also designated Warm Spaces, please look at our timetables for more information

You can call the Family Hubs using the contact details below:

Barkerend Family Hub, 365 Barkerend Road, BD3 8QX

Call us on: 01274 437523

Farcliffe Family Hub, 56 Toller Lane, BD8 8QH

Call us on: 01274 436700

Reevy Hill Family Hub, Bedale Drive, BD6 3ST

Call us on: 01274 434940

Rainbow Family Hub, Braithwaite Grove, Keighley, BD22 6JB

Call us on: 01535 618005