- Make time for you
The holiday season can be one of the busiest times of the year, with social gatherings, last minute gift shopping and preparations, and spending more time with family. It’s normal to find this overwhelming at times. If you are able to carve out some time for yourself to do something you find relaxing or meaningful (even just for ten minutes a day) this can help to ease stress. - Connect with others
Everyone experiences this time of year differently. For some, Christmas time can feel quite lonely, making OCD more difficult to manage. It can be helpful to think about who you might reach out to if you’re finding things tough. Remember that you are not alone – many people with OCD find the holiday period challenging. - Avoid comparisons
When scrolling through social media, it can be easy to think that everyone else is having a great time, which can be tough if you’re not feeling the same. It’s human nature to compare. But comparison can cause unnecessary additional pressure to get everything ‘right’. Remember that people often post their highlights – what you see on social media isn’t always the full picture. If you struggle with comparison, try to limit your social media usage over the Christmas period. - Be gentle with yourself
A lot of people feel pressure to be or appear happy at Christmas. This pressure can be especially tough for people with OCD. OCD doesn’t have a day off at Christmas, so it’s OK if you’re not feeling the festive spirit. Remember that you are doing so well by even showing up. Try to be gentle with yourself and focus on what you have already achieved. - Reach out for support
OCD Action recognises that Christmas can be a challenging time for people living with OCD. Our services remain open during the festive period, with only slightly less availability than usual. As always, our Forum is open 24 hours a day. You can reach out if you need any support.
We wish you all the best for the holiday period and 2023.