Coping at Christmas

The festive season isn’t always an easy time. Christmas can be difficult for anyone, at any point in their life. If you’re finding things tough, we’ve put together some tips and information to help.

Looking after yourself

Try some of these tips to ease the burden at Christmas. Different things work for different people.

  • Be kind to yourself. Try to do something you enjoy, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Listen to some music, take a walk, or just have a cuppa – whatever works for you.
  • Try to say no to things that aren’t helpful for you.
  • Let yourself experience your own feelings. Even if they don’t match what’s going on around you.
  • Try to avoid comparisons with the Christmas you see in adverts and on social media.
  • Let people know if you’re struggling. It can help to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling.
  • Tell people what they can do to help and how they can support you during Christmas.

Planning ahead

Planning ahead for Christmas can help ease some of the stress. Here are some things that may help:

  • If having a routine is important to you, try to include as much of your regular routine in your Christmas plans as you can.
  • If you’re going to be somewhere unfamiliar for Christmas, think about what you need to help you cope.
  • Think about whether you really need to do things if you’re not looking forward to them. It may be that you can do them for less time, or in a different way.
  • Remember that some health services may not open or may run a reduced service over the festive period. Make a list of any services that you might need and their Christmas opening hours. If you need medication, make sure you have enough for the whole period. The NHS has information on emergency prescriptions.
  • If your child is in hospital over Christmas, remember that visiting rules may be different. There may also be fewer staff, or different staff on the ward.
  • Plan a Christmas activity or meal your child enjoys and get friends and family to join in.
  • Try to plan something nice to do after Christmas. Having something to look forward to next year can make a real difference.

Talk to someone who understands

If your child, or a child in your family, has a liver disease, it’s very easy to feel like you’re alone. You’re not. CLDF is here for you and we’ll be with you every step along your journey, wherever that may lead.

Our Families Team can be contacted on 0121 212 6023 or by email at: families@childliverdisease.org.

Our Young People’s Team can be contacted on 0121 212 6024 or by email at: youngpeople@childliverdisease.org.

*Please note: The CLDF support team will be available until 4pm on Monday 23rd December. We will then return on Thursday 2nd January.

 

Extra support over the festive period

You can get help across the festive period from many places including:

Samaritans
Samaritans provide a 24 hour 365 day a year service for anyone who is struggling to cope and needs someone to listen – Samaritans

Mind
Mind is a charity providing information and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems – Mind

Young Minds
Young Minds is a UK charity specifically focussed on providing young people with information and advice to help support their mental health – YoungMinds

Childline
Childline is a free confidential service for anyone under the age of 19 to talk about anything at any time – Childline

Turn2Us
Turn2Us is a national UK charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially – Turn2us

 

Remember: For medical help, you can contact NHS 111. Or call 999 if it’s an emergency.

client
client
Make a donation