We want you to know that support is available this festive period, and you do not have to face it alone. The holiday season is right around the corner, and with it comes additional stress – especially NHS winter pressure! We have listed some valuable tips and resources to help you with your mental health at work if you are working and struggling during the festive seasons.
Jump to…
- Don’t Forget Your Purpose
- Emotionally Prepare
- Avoid Social Media – Here’s Why
- Invite Your Loved Ones to Work
- Celebrate When You Can
- Make It Special For Your Patients
- Support Mental Health
- Become a member!
On any normal day, you are pushed to your limit and stretched thin to support the NHS and healthcare systems throughout the UK, and during the holiday season, this will undoubtedly intensify. Protecting your mental health and surviving Christmas can feel like two impossible tasks. So, we’ve put together all the support you can need to protect your Christmas mental health at work.
Don’t Forget Your Purpose
As the days become more stressful and your role becomes even more challenging, make sure you remember why you are there. Whether you are there to support the elderly and the young or address emergency cases, remember your intentions and what makes you proud to be a healthcare worker.
This can help motivate you and uplift your spirits in those darker moments.
Emotionally Prepare
It might sound simple in theory, but mentally preparing for the days and weeks ahead can significantly help. Whether you are working crazy hours or on Christmas Day, remember to be flexible, expect emotion, and remember that you can lean on your team members if all else fails. You are all in this together.
Avoid Social Media
When you’re on your way to work and mentally preparing for a 13-hour shift, avoid social media at all costs. Logging onto Facebook or killing time by scrolling through Instagram is only going to put you in a bad mood. Instead, why not pop on a fantastic playlist and get into the festive spirit? You are making a difference in the world, so don’t compare yourself to others.
Invite Your Loved Ones to Work
In many cases, hospitals allow their staff to invite guests for a short duration during the holidays – like on Christmas Day. A quick visit from your family could make all the difference, cheer you up, and help your day go a lot quicker.
Celebrate When You Can
Sometimes, we have to celebrate at unconventional hours within the day over the festive period, but that doesn’t make it any less festive. Whether you want to watch a festive flick on Netflix, bake a festive treat, or spend time with loved ones, celebrate the festive period when you can.
Make It Special For Your Patients
If you’re working over the Christmas period, then believe us when we tell you that you won’t be the only one wishing you weren’t in hospital for it. So why not take this opportunity to make your patients feel special is always a win – especially for pediatric nurses! You could wear fun accessories like antlers, put tinsel in your hair, sport an ugly jumper (if allowed), or even play festive music. You will put a smile on their face, which is priceless.
Of course, please ensure your ward and your hospital allows you to do this.
Support – Mental Health NHS helpline and Charities
We all know that the festive period can be a challenging time, and as a key worker in a demanding role, we want you to know that there is support should you need it. You are not alone. Mental wellness in the workplace is important, and with the support available, you can protect your well-being all year round, as well as your Christmas well-being.
Your GP: If you are feeling low, it is perfectly ok to speak with your GP. You do not need to be suffering from a specific mental health problem to receive support. For more information on talking to your GP, please click here.
Talking Treatments: Treatments, such as NHS employee counselling, can help you explore your worries and feelings with a professional. By speaking to a professional and shifting to a positive space, you can overcome some of your frustrations or difficulties. Counselling for NHS staff is available through the free and confidential Check My Wellbeing self-check tool. This offers extra information on the different support that is available and helps you to identify what option is the right one for your needs.
Mental Health and Christmas: Sometimes, speaking to someone can make a real difference, and there are helplines with trained professionals available. For instance, if you are searching for urgent support through the mental health NHS helpline, they will be happy to assist. Alternatively, there are charities and organisations who won’t judge and could help you make sense of any feelings you are having.
| Organisation | |
|---|---|
 | 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day). |
 | 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7). |
 | 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) |
 | The MIX – Available to those under 25 – 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day) |
 | Nightline – Available to Students – Nightline Website. |
 | Switchboard – LGBTQIA+ Support – 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day) |
 | SANEline – 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day). |
 | Mental Health NHS Helpline – Urgent Support and Advice. |
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