Self-care VS Sabotage: Protecting your mental health during the holidays
Posted: 17 Dec 2025Is Christmas stressing you out? If you’re not feeling festive, you’re not alone. While some make merry, others struggle with their mental health.
‘Tis the season of feeling entirely overwhelmed and stressed out. Or at least, that’s the experience of many people during the festive period.
- One in three people surveyed reported they struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder during the winter*
- 31% of people reported that they struggle with sleepless nights attributed to worrying about the festive period*
- 1 in 5 people surveyed reported that they will feel more irritable (and even struggle with headaches) around this time of year*
*Source: Mental Health UK
What turns festivities into frustrations?
The reasons behind finding this time of year so challenging can vary from person to person. It might be that you’re worried about your financial situation – something very relevant to many struggling with job insecurity in the games industry right now. Christmas is expensive, and having to stick to a tight budget might make you feel like you’re missing out!
Some people struggle with the changes to their routine. This can be especially true for neurodivergent folk – and that’s a lot of people in the games industry! When the structure of your day disappears, you might feel a little lost (not to mention potentially being inundated with relatives or social events, throwing your schedule into chaos).
Loneliness is another big factor in poor mental health during the holidays. Surrounded by festive sentiments of love, connection, and family, it’s understandable to feel lonely if:
- You live by yourself
- You’ve lost a loved one
- You’re going through a separation
- You’re estranged from your family
- You don’t currently have a support network
Source: Loneliness at Christmas
The pressure of participation
It can feel like you’re letting people down if you’re not feeling all that festive, but the truth is, you should never be pressured into celebrating. It’s wild that we’ve even got to say that – doesn’t it just sound so bizarre? Being forced to have fun?
And what is fun, anyway? It seems like a pretty subjective concept to us. If your idea of a Christmas Eve well spent is one with a warm drink, some of your favourite snacks, and a quiet, cosy gaming session, then party hats off to you!
If you want to spend Christmas Day walking through a cold, crispy forest, wearing your best woolly hat and throwing a ball for your dog, we support you fully. Getting out into nature can be amazingly beneficial for your mental health.
Don’t sabotage your wellbeing this season
However you choose to spend your time during the holidays is up to you. But make sure you’re mindful of two things:
- Look past the feelings you currently have on the surface, to understand what you want (and need) to get out of this festive period.
- Be careful not to further isolate yourself if what you need right now is connection.
Unfortunately, our emotions can be complex and confusing. We might feel miserable and thoroughly un-festive on the surface, but be craving connection underneath.
We might decline an invitation not because we’re feeling too tired, but because we’re worried about the “vibes” we’re bringing to the party. It’s just too easy to further isolate ourselves by letting those negative thoughts get in the way of opportunities.
If you’re confident that what you need is a quiet holiday period with games and snacks, then go for it. Just be sure to check in with yourself and the motivations behind the decisions you’re making.
Mental health resources for the holidays
Returning to that list of reasons you might feel lonely or sad this festive season, we’d like to point you in the direction of some mental health resources that might help.
If you’re struggling with a bereavement, you might benefit from our grief awareness series, written by charity ambassador Bethany Rainbird. It explores the benefits of video games during periods of grief and recommends a number of games that you could try during the holidays.
- An Introduction to Grief Awareness Week
- Using Cosy Games to Support Routine, Grounding, and Regulation
- Reconnecting With The World Through Games
- Digital Ways to Remember The Ones We’ve Lost
- Safely Engaging With Mortality Through Video Games
If you’re looking for ways to practice self-care during the holidays, check out our recent infographic for a side-quest to help boost your emotional wellbeing and set healthy boundaries during the festive season.
If you’re worried about your finances and you have access to an Employee Assistance Program, you may be able to access financial advice for free. People on the EAP provided through Safe In Our World (e.g. Level Up partners) can access one-to-one financial coaching with MUNNY.
If you’re struggling to switch off and find yourself endlessly scrolling through upsetting content, you might benefit from our article for protecting your mental health online. This can also help you support others impacted by the negative effects of doom-scrolling.
If you’re seeing a friend or relative this festive season who’s gone through a change (e.g. is using different pronouns, or a new name) and you’d like to build empathy and understanding around the importance of social identity, you can read our article exploring intersectionality and mental health.
And if you (or someone you know) needs support with their mental health during the festive period, please look to our Find Help page, to search for mental health services in your local area.
Safe In Our World will be back in 2026
Allow us to take this opportunity to thank you all for the enthusiasm and endless support you’ve given to our mental health charity over the last year. You can read a recap of what we’ve been up to in our birthday blog.
Our team is about to take a much-needed break! Our last work day of this year is Monday, 22nd December, and we’ll be returning to work in the new year on Monday, 5th January. We wish you all a safe, restful and relaxing break. Thank you!
