Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
NikNikSenior Contributor
When you think of the festive season, what reaction do you have?
If it's anything like this, we need to talk 🙂
For this Topic Tuesday we will be looking at surviving the holiday season. We will be looking at common stressors (on top of what you already have to manage!) and strategies to get you through.
We will kick off at 7pm AEST
Hit the 'like' button below if you're going to join us.
In response to: Surviving the festive season overwhelm
NikNikSenior Contributor
Hi Everyone!
I want to welcome you all to Topic Tuesday. Tonight we are discussing the "festive" season and getting through it in one piece!
I thought we could start by inviting you all to introduce yourself and tell us what sort of reaction you have when you think of the festive season / christmas - do you get tense or feel dread.. excited and looking forward to... indifferent?
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
coffeegirlSenior Contributor
Hi!
I'm coffeegirl and I'm a coffee-holic 🙂
The from Christmas to after new years is one extreme to another for me - I love certain elements of it and then find myself really stressed about other stuff... so I just get.. exhausted from being so emotional.
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
EagleSenior Contributor
Christmas is quite stressful for me. I don't have time to consider my emotions, I'm too busy managing others' emotions!
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
NikNikSenior Contributor
Welcome @Eagle and @coffeegirl 🙂
@coffeegirl great point - It's not as simple as either loving or hating it - you can have a mixed bag of emotions.
@eagle it sounds like your a key support for those around you! Needless to say - you deserve to experience the festive season without always having to managing everyone else 🙂
Can I ask, do either of you (or anyone else lurking 🙂 ) have things you like about this time of year?
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
EagleSenior Contributor
I love the weather and getting to the beach 🙂
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
coffeegirlSenior Contributor
I like to think of myself as a bit of a cook. I don't like being lumped with all the cooking on Christmas - but I do like to do creative things... like cake decorations 
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
NikNikSenior Contributor
LOVE the beach too @Eagle
For many carers there is a unique range of challenges to us on an emotional, psychological and social level which can be compounded by the demands of a caring role. Which is why it's really important to identify situations/things/people that can escalate stress and/or anxiety and have plans on how to manage these before they take hold.
Are there any key "stressors" that you are aware of?
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
Shaz51Senior Contributor
My husband said there is tooo many people , he stresses out when we have too many christmas parties to go to and christmas day where we have to go to both parents places is so stressful that he becomes totally sick
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
EagleSenior Contributor
Oh where do I start -
Shopping centres
finances
family conflict (not all the time.. but there's potential)
Seeing the rest of my family who have a healthy functioning relationships (which I don't with the person I care for)
unripe avocados (odd... I know 🙂 , I use them a lot during the holiday period...)
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
coffeegirlSenior Contributor
@Eagle - internet shopping is my saviour..
Gift vouches, clothes, little trinkets - everything is available these days!
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
