1. Decide which Christmas activities and traditions are most significant to you. Only participate in those activities that have significance for you and decline the activities which cause stress or are insignificant for you. 
2. Christmas time tends to be a time when people spend more money than they can afford.  Make a Christmas budget and stick with it.
3. Take care of yourself.  Eat right, get enough sleep and exercise.  Control your alcohol consumption and limit your indulgence in high fat or sugary foods.
4. Recognize signs of stress and use relaxation techniques when you begin to get irritated or upset such taking a few deep breaths, going for a walk or taking a break.
5. Have realistic expectations of family and friends.  Just because it is Christmas, does not mean the attitudes or behaviors of relatives and friends will change.  Accept this and plan how you will respond to help keep the Christmas spirit.
6. Make time for yourself. This time does not need to cost anything and can include going for a walk or reading a book.   Schedule time for yourself during the busy Christmas period.
7. Delegate Christmas tasks and ask for help. Communicate openly and remember it’s ok to say “no”. Don’t carry the entire burden
8. If you experience persistent low mood or anxiety, consider professional help. There is a wealth of experience and expertise available to deal with mental health difficulties.

Perhaps I should have said it just between
The wine and grace, the wishing and the blessing.
That was the time for words, when the scene
Had just begun, before we passed the dressing.
Before the knife cut deep into the breast
I might have paused, looked up and all around
Into the eyes of each of them.
A jest Came easier, wit tossed into the sound
And lost. Between the stuffing and the pie
Was yet another quiet moment when
I could have told them all. Instead I sighed
And let it pass. Just once before the end
I should have cried: “Listen before you go.
I love you. I just wanted you to know.”

Peter J. La Forge

• One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue
• One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression
• One in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

• Lower total medical costs
• Increased productivity
• Lower absenteeism
• Decreased disability costs

• Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse
• Family history of mental health problems

• Reaching out and letting them know you are available to help
• Helping them access mental health services
• Learning and sharing the facts about mental health, especially if you hear something that isn't true
• Treating them with respect, just as you would anyone else
• Refusing to define them by their diagnosis or using labels such as "crazy"

• Higher overall productivity
• Better educational outcomes
• Lower crime rates
• Stronger economies
• Lower health care costs
• Improved quality of life
• Increased lifespan
• Improved family life

• Avoids throwing away possessions (common hoarded items are newspapers, magazines, paper and plastic bags, cardboard boxes, photographs, household supplies, food, and clothing)
• Experiences severe anxiety about discarding possessions
• Has trouble making decisions about organizing possessions
• Feels overwhelmed or embarrassed by possessions
• Is suspicious of other people touching possessions 
• Has obsessive thoughts about possessions:
•  - Fear of running out of an item and needing it later
•  - Checks the garbage to see if an item was accidentally discarded
•  May have functional impairments:
•  - Loss of living space inside the home (no place to eat, sleep, or cook)
•  - Social isolation
•  - Family or marital problems
•  - Financial difficulties
•  - Health hazards

• bread – wholemeal and granary rather than white. Also try rye breads, pumpernickel, wholemeal pitta bread, wholemeal chapattis, oat cakes, rice cakes and corn cakes

• breakfast cereals – choose high fibre, low sugar types eg. wholegrain or bran cereals or porridge

• rice and pasta – go for Basmati and brown rice (this gives a nutty texture in salads) and wholemeal pasta

• potatoes – serve boiled new potatoes in their skins (with a little bit of butter) or mashed or jacket potatoes. Potato wedges (lightly brushed with olive oil) are a lower fat alternative to chips and roast potatoes if you are watching your weight. Try sweet potatoes or yams for a change – these are delicious baked.

• include more omega 3-rich oily fish from sustainable fish stocks – try to include 2–4 portions a week (but no more than 2 portions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding). If buying tinned fish, choose varieties in water, brine or tomato sauce rather than in sunflower oil (this is high in omega 6)

• if you fry food (eg. stir fries) use an oil high in monounsaturates eg. olive or rapeseed oil

• choose a monounsaturated margarine or butter for spreading. Avoid margarines or low fat spreads containing omega 6 polyunsaturated or hydrogenated trans fats (trans fats are damaging to your brain and arteries)

• avoid processed foods such as pies, sausage rolls, crisps and cakes – these are high in saturated and trans fats.

• choose a complete one-a-day multivitamin / mineral preparation containing the full recommended daily intake of each vitamin and mineral. These products are relatively safe as they do not contain excessive amounts of any single nutrient (but you should avoid other supplements containing these nutrients, in particular vitamin A as it is toxic in high doses)

• if your doctor prescribes vitamins or minerals for you, tell him/her about any products you are already taking

• if you do take a multivitamin supplement, avoid eating liver and other offal products such as pate, as these are also high in vitamin A.

• Notice times when your kids are most likely to talk — for example, at bedtime, before dinner, in the car — and be available.
• Start the conversation; it lets your kids know you care about what's happening in their lives.
• Find time each week for a one-on-one activity with each child, and avoid scheduling other activities during that time.
• Learn about your children's interests — for example, favorite music and activities — and show interest in them.
• Initiate conversations by sharing what you have been thinking about rather than beginning a conversation with a question.

• When your children are talking about concerns, stop whatever you are doing and listen.
• Express interest in what they are saying without being intrusive.
• Listen to their point of view, even if it's difficult to hear.
• Let them complete their point before you respond.
• Repeat what you heard them say to ensure that you understand them correctly.

• Soften strong reactions; kids will tune you out if you appear angry or defensive.
• Express your opinion without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it's okay to disagree.
• Resist arguing about who is right. Instead say, "I know you disagree with me, but this is what I think."
• Focus on your child's feelings rather than your own during your conversation.

• Ask your children what they may want or need from you in a conversation, such as advice, simply listening, help in dealing with feelings or help solving a problem.
• Kids learn by imitating. Most often, they will follow your lead in how they deal with anger, solve problems and work through difficult feelings.
• Talk to your children — don't lecture, criticize, threaten or say hurtful things.
• Kids learn from their own choices. As long as the consequences are not dangerous, don't feel you have to step in.
• Realize your children may test you by telling you a small part of what is bothering them. Listen carefully to what they say, encourage them to talk and they may share the rest of the story.

• Listening and talking is the key to a healthy connection between you and your children. But parenting is hard work and maintaining a good connection with teens can be challenging, especially since parents are dealing with many other pressures. If you are having problems over an extended period of time, you might want to consider consulting with a mental health professional to find out how they can help.