How can you make it a very Merry Christmas . . . really?

Venture Zero Mental Health Lead, Clare Blunt, explores what’s really necessary to make this season truly festive.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or at least that’s the message we’re bombarded with as soon as the calendar hits December. 

While Christmas is supposed to be the most exciting few weeks in the calendar, for many it’s one of the toughest. From struggling to balance work and family to seeing others flying high online, many of us are left feeling stuck in a rut and less full of cheer than we should be. 

Before signing off for the festive break I wanted to touch on some of the issues that can affect many of us through December and into the New Year . . . as well as suggest some strategies for protecting wellbeing if all is not cosy and bright.

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Dark days and dangerous diets: the mental health challenges of December

While long, dark evenings lend themselves well to fairy lights and cosy nights by the fire, they aren’t the most conducive weather when trying to get on with life as normal. For, as much as business demands might slow down during the festive season, very few of us can afford to take a whole month off, and life must go on. 

For many of us, going to work and coming home in the dark is a reality at this time of year, and this can take its toll. A lack of vitamin D can mean lower moods and less restful sleep, as well as a drop in motivation for outdoor time such as walks and exercise. In fact, according to Action Mental Health, Google search results for ‘seasonal affective disorder’ rise 500% as winter creeps in.

As well as being a darker, colder time of year, Christmas can also be a boozier one. A few festive tipples are great for festive parties, but increasing our intake of alcohol during December can cause our low moods to drop even lower. As the Mental Health Foundation explains, alcohol is a depressant, disrupting your neurotransmitters to impact your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. 

Over half (57%) of people who drink alcohol in the UK will binge drink on Christmas Day, according to Drinkaware. This comes alongside an increase in unhealthy eating, with balanced diets taking a backseat in favour of party food and sweet treats. While in moderation these festive delights are a seasonal staple, overdoing it can leave us feeling lacklustre, sluggish, and body conscious.

How to approach the holiday season in a healthy way

I’m aware that listing the dangers of the festive season puts me at risk of sounding a bit of a Grinch but I believe it’s important to acknowledge that we can’t force ourselves to feel happy and healthy, even at the jolliest time of year. Getting the most out of Christmas requires a smart approach.

First, find the balance with partying. You can attend all the shindigs you want, but not every event should require you to crack open the fizz and wolf down Quality Streets. Instead, try making festive arrangements with your loved ones that are more activity-based, such as ice skating, Christmas crafts, watching festive films, or catching a theatre show. The NHS considers human connections to be the number one way to support your mental health, and this is all the truer at Christmas.

Spending time with friends and family will also help you do what many professionals struggle to do during the seasonal break: switch off and de-stress from work. It can be difficult to step away from it, even for a few days, but giving yourself a well-earned rest from the daily grind will help you return more refreshed in the new year.

To do this, try unplugging from tech where possible and getting out in nature, even if this means simply leaving your phone at home while you enjoy a winter walk. According to the Mental Health Foundation, over 90% of people feel outdoor spaces have a positive impact on their mental wellbeing. These small breaks can also help you get as much natural sunlight as possible during winter, as a study by The Sleep Charity found that two thirds of us aren’t getting enough sun.

By prioritising your wellbeing this December, you can enjoy the Christmas season to its full extent, remaining present throughout the festivities so you can return fully charged and ready to tackle 2026 come January. 

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