A GP’s Prescription for a Calmer Christmas
As a GP, I see every year how the festive season can bring both joy and strain. Christmas is often painted as a time of sparkle and celebration, but behind the lights and traditions many people feel pressure, exhaustion, or loneliness. This year, I’ve been reflecting on how we can prepare for Christmas in ways that protect our mental health—drawing on both professional insight and my own journey with recovery and rest.
💤 Sleep: Protecting Your Energy
Sleep is the foundation of wellbeing, yet it’s often the first thing sacrificed in December. Late nights, busy schedules, and overstimulation can leave us depleted.
Prioritise a consistent bedtime routine.
Limit caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evenings.
Remember: rest is not indulgence, it’s medicine.
🍎 Nutrition: Nourishment Over Restriction
Food is central to Christmas, and it should be enjoyed. But I often remind patients—and myself—that balance matters.
Savour festive treats without guilt.
Keep regular meals to avoid energy crashes.
Hydrate well; water supports mood and concentration.
🤸 Movement: Gentle Exercise for Calm
Exercise is one of the most powerful tools for mental health. For me, mum-and-baby pilates classes have been part of my treatment with the perinatal mental health team. These sessions remind me that movement doesn’t need to be intense to be effective.
Choose activities that feel kind to your body.
Walks in nature, stretching, or dancing in the kitchen all count.
Movement helps release stress and restore balance.
👥 Connection: Quality Over Quantity
Christmas can amplify loneliness, but it can also overwhelm us with social obligations.
Focus on meaningful connections rather than trying to please everyone.
Reach out to those who may be isolated.
Allow yourself boundaries—saying no is sometimes the healthiest choice.
🌙 Reflection: Learning to Winter
This month, my book club has been reading Wintering by Katherine May. Her reflections on embracing life’s quieter seasons have taught me that rest is not weakness—it’s wisdom. In the rush of Christmas, we can learn to “winter”:
Slow down when energy wanes.
Create small rituals of calm (reading, journaling, quiet evenings).
Accept that difficult seasons are part of life’s rhythm.
🎄 Final Thoughts
A mentally healthy Christmas isn’t about perfection. It’s about balance—between activity and rest, indulgence and nourishment, connection and solitude. As a GP, I encourage patients to see health not as a checklist but as a rhythm. As a person, I’m learning to live that rhythm myself.
This festive season, may we all find space to move, to rest, and to winter well.
