Tis the season to be jolly, right? Not for everyone. Nearly one in 20 Brits admit the festive period has a "negative impact" on their mental health. So if you're feeling your snarling inner Grinch threatening to go on the rampage, you're not alone.
"It's very normal to feel stressed in the run-up to Christmas," says therapist Katie Rose, a member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and founder of TherapEast. "Regular worries about money, family, relationships, body image, fear of missing out, and loneliness collide just at a time when social media is telling us we should be at our happiest."
The result? An increased likelihood of stressmas-induced rage, which explodes the moment your Amazon gift delivery gets lost in transit or your partner dares to point out the turkey is a bit rubbery.
Exercise, having some me-time, and sharing the organizing with others can help ease the pain. But here are a few more tips to prevent you from turning into a walking pressure cooker on 25 December...
1 KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS
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Denne historien er fra December 12, 2022-utgaven av OK! UK.
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A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities
