24/12/2025
Self care over Christmas and Help line numbers
Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year but, for some, it can seem that little bit harder due to the associated pressures of the festive season.
You can't choose when Christmas comes, but you can choose to help yourself get through it.
Have realistic expectations
Don’t expect that Christmas will be perfect. Be honest and realistic about what you can expect from the season. Write down what is really important to you. Prioritise and tackle one thing at a time. Give yourself permission to say no. Plan ahead and have some nice things organised that you’d like to do with others outside of family gatherings.
Reflect on what you've achieved this year
I think most people will be happy to have made it through the year in one piece so the focus should be on accepting yourself and where you are right now, in what is an ever-changing landscape.
As the end of the year approaches, try not to be hard on yourself for things you thought you should have achieved by now. Accept yourself and where you are right now. This Christmas period, use the time to reflect on how far you have come and all you have achieved.
Show compassion for others
A simple act of kindness can change any experience completely. Often at Christmas, people feel more lonely and isolated than normal. A thoughtful gesture can make a real difference. This could be spending time with someone or offering them a listening ear.
Research shows that helping others increases your own sense of wellbeing. An easy way to do this is to take part in your community.
Healthy habits
At times like Christmas, it's easy to fall out of your normal routine. Your body clock can change and it's not unusual to over-indulge in many different ways.
As a result, your motivation levels can drop and you can feel bloated, sluggish and unwell.
Maintain your healthy habits by:
• Keeping up a healthy sleep pattern (https://www2.hse.ie/.../mental-health/problems-sleeping.html)
• Making an effort to exercise outdoors (https://www2.hse.ie/.../exercise-and-your-mental-health.html)
• Eating a good diet (https://www2.hse.ie/well.../mental-health/eat-healthily.html)
• Minding your alcohol intake (https://www2.hse.ie/.../how-alcohol-affects-your-mental...)
Self-care
Above all else, allow yourself to take some time out during the Christmas season. If you are feeling drained in any way, find yourself a quiet space to breathe.
Take time to rest and restore your energy. Christmas might be all about giving, but that means giving to yourself too.
Seek professional help if you need to
Despite your best efforts, you might feel low, stressed, sad or anxious over Christmas.
Talk to your GP before Christmas about what support they can offer you.
Don't hesitate to reach out. Many services (especially helpline and online services) are open during Christmas.
https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/get-urgent-help/
The HSE is encouraging anyone who is experiencing ongoing stress, anxiety, mental health or sleep problems to make the connection with their mental health and take a moment to visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie. Here you can find a range of information on breathing exercises, resources on physical activity, apps on mindfulness, online courses on stress control and many more to help you over the coming weeks.
If you are having a tough time at the moment and need to reach out for support, please speak to your GP or contact any of the following free 24/7 supports: Samaritans on 116 123, Pieta on 1800 247 247, Free Text Hello to 50808, email support@shine.ie or find more information on www.yourmentalhealth.ie
Turn2Me – taking the stress out of Christmas
The festive season, often painted as a joyful time, can bring significant stress, anxiety, and loneliness for many. With pressures ranging from financial worries to social obligations, the need for accessible mental health support has never been greater.
The Mental Health Charity Turn2Me is urging people to make use of its free online mental health services in the lead-up to Christmas. The organisation offers a range of services, including online support groups, where people can connect with others facing similar challenges and feel less alone during the season.
Turn2Me has highlighted the impact of stress on our physical as well as mental health, noting that poverty, trauma, general pressure from the demands of life, and more can all have an impact on stress levels. “Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances,” said Suzanne Ennis, Clinical Manager at Turn2Me, adding, “Chronic stress leads to serious health problems because it disrupts nearly every system in your body. Part of what makes chronic stress so insidious is its ability to become a “normal” feeling, it becomes the familiar.”
Taking all of these points on board – the following tips from the charity are designed to help us all attain and maintain a relaxed state for optimum mental health:
Relaxation Techniques: These are activities that trigger the relaxation response, a physiological change that can help lower your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen consumption, and stress hormones. These can include yoga, deep breathing and stretching.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is based on the idea that changing unhealthy thinking can change your emotions. A CBT therapist will help you identify negative thinking and learn to automatically replace it with healthy or positive thoughts, reducing stress.
Realistic Goal Setting: Setting goals can have a positive effect, provide one with a sense of commitment, feel they're in control, and are optimistic. Setting goals in your career, relationships, creativity, play, and health can really help manage stress.
Exercise Regularly: In addition to having physical health benefits, exercise has been shown to be a powerful stress reliever. Exercise releases endorphins—natural chemicals that help you feel better and maintain a positive attitude.
Daily Reflection: Conduct daily check-ins, by asking yourself how you are. What do you need to help yourself? When you’re feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself of what you do well. Try to have a healthy sense of self.
Prioritise Yourself: The more your actions reflect your beliefs, the better you will feel, no matter how busy your life is. It’s okay to say “No” to demands on your time and energy that will place too much stress on you. You don’t always have to meet the expectations of others.
Know where to turn: Get to know what mental health supports and services are available. Speak with a GP about what might be available locally. Many services are open 24/7 and you can make contact in different ways, for example:
• on the phone – Samaritans, visit www.samaritans.ie or Freephone 116 123
• by text message – www.text50808, text Hello to 50808
• online – visit www.mymind.org or www.turn2me.ie
• face-to-face – Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie or Freephone 1800 247 247.
You can also call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, anytime day or night, for information on what other services and supports are available near you – Freephone 1800 111 888 or visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie
Turn2Me provides free, professional mental health services online, including free counselling sessions, support groups, and helpful tools like guided meditations and mood tracking. They have daily support groups online over the Christmas period on topics such as family issues, bereavement, feeling alone, feeling down to name a few. These services are available to anyone in Ireland, offering a lifeline to those who may feel overwhelmed by the holiday season. More details can be found on their website www.turn2me.ie
Please also visit
https://cavanmonaghanconnects.ie/news-events/youre-not-alone-this-christmas/
Please see attached image of national supports available 24/7
Turn2Me, the online mental health charity are continuing with their online support groups over the Christmas break and have one scheduled at some point on each day with a different focus – click on their website https://turn2me.ie/ and register to join for free to take part in anonymous online facilitated discussions with peers via instant chat in a safe space.
Schedule of Events taking place across Cavan and Monaghan in early January 2026 to promote positive mental health and wellbeing through creativity and community connection. Click this link for all the details - First Fortnight Cavan Monaghan Jan 2026
A range of arts and cultural events have been scheduled across Cavan and Monaghan between 6th and 20th January to help boost mental health and wellbeing through creativity and connection. This programme of events has been prepared to coincide with the national First Fortnight initiative - a charity that challenges mental health prejudice and stigma through arts and cultural action. Details on all events scheduled can be found on Cavan Monaghan Connects – your local online hub for mental health and wellbeing information, services, training and local events taking place across Cavan and Monaghan. Learn more at cavanmonaghanconnects.ie
Kevin Curran, Recovery College Co-ordinator with HSE Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Service highlighted that “one of our core aims of the First Fortnight Festival is to show that mental health awareness is everyone’s concern and there is a growing community that are using the creative arts as a way of supporting people going through their own recovery journey and emotional challenges that can be part of our normal life experiences.
The festival wants to showcase some of the good things we all enjoy in life. From listening to live music performances, seeing street art in action to joining in a creative workshop or walking with a group on a guided tour of your town; it’s all about how we can bring hope and motivation into our lives.”
Emer Mulligan, HSE Connecting for Life Cavan Monaghan added that “January can be a difficult time for many after the busyness of the festive season. It’s important that people find ways to recharge their batteries and spend time doing things they enjoy. Attending or taking part in a creative, artistic or cultural event locally is one way that can help while also supporting community connection”.
This is an initiative of Cavan Monaghan Connects in partnership with Cavan County Council’s Library Service, Monaghan County Council’s Library Service, Creative Cavan, Creative Monaghan, HSE Connecting for Life Cavan Monaghan and HSE Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Service Recovery College. Sharon Howe, Creative Cavan Co-ordinator is very pleased to be involved in this partnership initiative and highlighted “the power of the arts and the importance of social engagement and creativity on health and wellbeing”.
Audrey Wilson, Creative Communities Monaghan Engagement Officer indicated that “the schedule has something for everyone to help them though the dark days of January, with the Festival culminating in a special Light Show at Monaghan Peace Campus on 19th January from 5 pm”.
A special thanks to all the organisations, groups and individuals who are contributing to this First Fortnight initiative across Cavan and Monaghan.
First Fortnight Cavan Monaghan Schedule is available on Cavan Monaghan Connects – your local online hub for mental health and wellbeing information, services, training and local events taking place across Cavan and Monaghan. Learn more at cavanmonaghanconnects.ie Like, Follow & Share on social media platforms or email info@cavanmonaghanconnects.ie
Full Schedule for First Fortnight here: First Fortnight Cavan Monaghan Jan 2026
