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
Shaz51Senior Contributor
hi @coffeegirl i know , i find it hard too, it is hard when you don`t have family and friends to support you , but itry to do little things for just me
In response to: Surviving the festive season overwhelm
EagleSenior Contributor
At least you have identified what 'self care' stuff works for you @Shaz51
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
Shaz51Senior Contributor
hi @Eagle getting there, bit by bit
In response to: Surviving the festive season overwhelm
Unknown userMember
Hi @Shaz51
Agree it is easy to forget the self care when things get busy.
Hi @NikNik
Thanks for thinking about this topic. 
Sorry I am a bit late joining but the things I most like about getting ready for Christmas is the shopping and the decorations and the most annoying thing is trying to organise things with family members who do not want to cooperate but seem to expect Christmas to just fall into place as a great family experience.
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
NikNikSenior Contributor
@Shaz51 we tend to put ourselves last 🙂
Here is your challenge for tonight.... Fill in the blanks
When I start to feel/think ________________ I will _____________________
The first blank is that feeling or thoughts you first get when you start to feel anxious / stressed and the second blank is to be filled in with something you can do to deescalate the current stress.
Mine is ;
When I start to feel overwhelmed, I will do some colouring in (it's my new obsession)
In response to: Surviving the festive season overwhelm
Unknown userMember
Sorry I posted the same message twice.
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
coffeegirlSenior Contributor
@NikNik I love those adult colouring in books!
Mine is;
When I start to feel hot I will turn on the smiling minds app and do one activity
I say 'feeling hot' because my body has that reaction when I'm stressed, angry, annoyed etc
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
Shaz51Senior Contributor
hi @NikNik thank you
Mine is ;
When I start to feel overwhelmed, I will Ring my Mum who is also my best friend
When I start to feel stressed, I will make myself a cup of coffee and sit outside with a magazine
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
EagleSenior Contributor
Hi @Former-Member I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I wonder if I just didn't organise anything, if anything would actually get done! One time saver I found last year was this Secret Santa online organising tool. I'm not sure if you guys do presents, but our family does 1 big present for each person.
It's been messy in the past, but on this site you just put them emails in of the people participating, then the site automatically allocates a secret santa to each person. You can also add items to your wishlist (I demand that everyone does this) so their secret santa can get them something they actually want!
http://www.secretsantaorganizer.com/
I find this task of 'when I feel___ I will____' as really tricky, because I can't just drop everything and go to the beach everytime I'm stressed... Maybe I could just think of the beach lol
When I feel flusted, I will stop and think about the beach
Hmm that's realistic .. I will get to the beach when I can... but just thinking about it will help, just a little bit 🙂
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm
Shaz51Senior Contributor
hi @Eagle same here because sometimes i can`t ring mum if she is not home and my husband and i work together everyday so i can`t make a coffee when we are out working , but i will make sure i will have one as soon as i can
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
