Be kind to yourself this Christmas

MENTAL health charity, Glow, which holds free weekly support meetings in Ballyfermot Parish Centre, is urging people to be kind to themselves and to others this festive season.

Izabela Morris, Grow’s local area coordinator, says Christmas and the New Year can often be fraught with added stress and anxiety.

“One in four people in Ireland experience serious mental health difficulties at some stage in their lives, so maintaining positive mental health and wellbeing is vitally important for us all,” she said.

“This Christmas and New Year it is important to give yourself the present of looking after your own mental wellbeing.”

Grow suggests five ways to promote positive mental health over the holidays which include making a list of things to do. They say it can be helpful to write down three positive things that you would like to do over the holidays.

Other tips include taking time out for yourself, eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, reaching out to others and asking for help.

Grow holds free weekly peer-support meetings in Ballyfermot for anyone aged over 18 who is struggling with any aspect of their mental health.

For further details visit www.grow.ie or call the Grow infoline on 1890 474 474.

Alternatively, if you are in a crisis and want to talk, contact the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123.