How do you cope with Christmas?

[littlemissnorthernbird]

I find this time of year hard. I try my best to celebrate but honestly I can't wait for the New Year when it is all over and done with. This is the first Christmas when I am on anti depressants so maybe it will be different...but the anxiety and dread is beginning....what do you do to survive the season with your sanity intact?

Hi! Don't know your circumstances,are you on your own or have family?

Tempted to say vodka...
On a more useful note, canyou explain what you find difficult? Is it the pressure to enjoy a perfect familychristmas where everyone is happy surrounded by all the family? The advertising, The never ending round of parties.....

I feel the same OP, I long for it to be over. Here's what helps me through:

• not visiting my emotionally abusive family
• enjoying the parts of Christmas that I like (mince pies, Christmas cake, bit of time off work) and avoiding absolutely everything else
• trying to stay very physically healthy through December (good food, sleep, exercise, stay hydrated, no booze) so that I'm in good shape for the eye of the storm
• making some nice plans for January so that I have things to look forward to when all the madness is over
• remember that not everyone loves this time of year and that many other people are counting the days until it's over!

If you can afford.. and possibly even if you can't, go skiing.. A week in dazzling sunshine makes a world of difference ..

But you can't just now as the snow has not arrived..