![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/sad-christmas-unhappy-lonely-tired-811386663.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIT'S that time of year again \u2014 John Lewis has released its Christmas advert and gifts and decorations are appearing in shop windows.<\/p>\n
But experts say the countdown to the big day can make people start to feel nervous about the holidays.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
While the festive season is a time of joy and celebration, for many it can also be a source of anxiety and stress.<\/p>\n
People are feeling the pressure earlier because the start of the winter sales is being pushed back in the calendar every year, psychologists say.<\/p>\n
Dr Ree Langham at Impulse Therapy, told The Sun: \u201cThe festive season is supposed to be a time of joy, but for some people, it can be a period of stress and emotional strain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReferred to as Christmas creep, some can find the festive build-up very triggering, and overconsumption patterns can have a negative effect on well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Sarah Boss, clinical director of The Balance, said: \u201cThe commercialisation of the holiday season, with sales and decorations now appearing in October, can lead to a sense of urgency and also remind us that we\u2019ve got lots of tasks and shopping to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis can all create feelings of panic internally. The festive season can also resurrect feelings of personal memories and emotional triggers, which can further make us anxious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Signs you\u2019re suffering from the creep are the same as those caused by regular stress.<\/p>\n They include anxiety, sadness, headaches, body aches, struggling to sleep and irritability.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n These are especially likely during the cost of living crisis, when the financial pressures of the holiday season can affect people\u2019s mental health negatively.<\/p>\n Feelings of inadequacy can also be triggered by worrying you\u2019re falling behind in Christmas preparations, according to Rachel Matthews, of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.<\/p>\n She told Patient UK: \u201cWe need to accept, without guilt, that Christmas can be a challenging time.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing honest with ourselves is the first step, and accepting the reality of the situation rather than adding additional pressure to it.\u201d<\/p>\n What to do to treat Christmas creep<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Plan ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n The festive season can feel like a rollercoaster, with family plans all coming at once at the same time you feel pressure at work to get ahead before time off.<\/p>\n Experts suggest you create an action plan to help relieve some of this stress.<\/p>\n Make a list of all the things you need to do and prioritise them by what is most important.<\/p>\n This can help relieve tension, knowing everything has been planned for and you do not have to remember all commitments over the period.<\/p>\n 2. Put yourself first<\/strong><\/p>\n Taking care of yourself makes it easier for you to take care of others.<\/p>\n Setting time aside to do things you enjoy and making sure you get in your regular exercise are important ways to stay sane over Christmas.<\/p>\n Similarly, don\u2019t let the busy schedule impact your normal night routine \u2014 getting a good night\u2019s sleep is vital.<\/p>\n Dr Boss said: \u201cThere are various coping strategies.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMindfulness and self-care can help in the hectic period, keeping individuals balanced and grounded. <\/p>\n "This includes yoga, breathwork and meditation.\u201d<\/p>\n 3. Set a budget<\/strong><\/p>\n Feeling out of control with your finances can induce anxiety.<\/p>\n Christmas can increase the risk of this happening, so it is important you set a budget to put yourself in charge and reduce feelings of stress.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to factor in regular costs like heating and energy bills, which might be higher if you have family over or are spending more time indoors while off work.<\/p>\n 4. Don\u2019t be afraid to say no<\/strong><\/p>\n It can often feel like you have to say yes to every event you\u2019re invited to in December.<\/p>\n However, it is important to say no to things you know you won\u2019t enjoy or will cause more stress than they are worth.<\/p>\n Dr Langham said: \u201cIt\u2019s important that individuals are aware of their triggers<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to say no to commitments or events if you feel like things are getting too much.\u201d<\/p>\n 5. Be honest<\/strong><\/p>\n Being open about feelings of stress or anxiety around Christmas is important.<\/p>\n Friends and family members may also be feeling overwhelmed, so talking about it can help you normalise some of the issues.<\/p>\n If you are struggling with your mental health, it may be helpful to talk to a doctor or self-refer for counselling on the NHS.<\/p>\n Dr Langham said: \u201cProfessional help can be effective and can help you to understand the thought processes behind behaviours as well as develop healthy coping strategies.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith early intervention and knowledge of Christmas creep and its potential triggers, you can enjoy the festive seasons without risk.\u201d<\/p>\n Holiday stress symptoms are similar to regular stress symptoms.<\/p>\n These include:<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/mixed-race-30s-woman-pouted-817179803.jpg\")
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