Christmas is just around the corner, a time for giving and receiving but also a time for reflection.
It can be joyful time for many but for many others is can be sad and painful, and financial and family pressures can stop people enjoying the festivities. Find out about the effects that the festive period can have on your finances and mental health and some ways you can combat the stress of the season.
Financial worries can affect our mental health at the best of times, but festive overspending can have a particularly negative impact. The thought of how much Christmas might cost can feel overwhelming, there seems to be demands on us from every part of our lives. With the pressure to spend on presents and parties, the festive season will no doubt affect our finances. In 2020, the Bank of England found that UK households spend over £700 more than usual in the month before Christmas.
This year’s festivities threaten to be costlier than before, with the rising cost of living pushing up prices of essential goods and services.
Here some ways which may help ease the burden:
- Be gentle and patient with yourself – It might help to think about what is best for your wellbeing during Christmas, and prioritise what you need.
- Let people know you’re struggling – It can help to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling.
- Get help if you’re struggling to pay your bills – Access financial support – Citizens Advice offers free, confidential information on money worries. Check what help you can get if you’re struggling with money and you can’t afford to pay bills like energy, rent, internet or council tax. The local office here in Shetland will aim to get back to people within 10 days if you contact them. Telephone 01595 694696 or on their website www.shetlandcab.org.uk
Stigma around debt can mean that people struggle to ask for help and may become isolated, don’t be afraid to ask for help or speak to someone you trust.
