Hard to be merry at Christmas if reasons not to be crowd your life.
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Grief, illness, loneliness and pressure on finances or relationships cast long shadows. The strain only deepens when everywhere you look come reminders this is supposed to be a happy time of year.
Border counsellors agree Christmas can be a difficult period for people struggling to feel peace, let alone joy.
Their key messages include looking after yourself, thinking about others and dont be afraid to ask for help.
Gateway Health program manager of counselling and support Greg Calder said factors like families getting together, school holidays, the weather and extra expenses could all cause stress.
Just having more activity around the household for some people, more visitors, more comings and goings, children need entertainment sometimes and thats not always possible, he said.
Of course, people get busy in the lead-up to Christmas and they dont always take care of themselves.
Finances could become an issue around this time with increased spending.
"You often see the fall-out of that in January when the bills start rolling in and back to school expenses, Mr Calder said.
He encouraged limiting alcohol intake but focusing on good nutrition and fluids during the festive season.
With Christmas still more than a week away, if people are really struggling now, now would be the time to try and get extra support whether that be through friends or professionally, Mr Calder said.
Rather than let it drift or escalate into something else.
The Albury Community Health counselling team said it was normal for people who had recently lost a loved one to feel sadness or isolation at Christmas time.
Provisional psychologist Bonnie Dellora-McNally said people should be kind to themselves, talk openly with someone they trust and remember that grief could change from day to day.
Try not to be afraid of your emotional responses, she said.
Happiness and sadness can co-exist, and being happy is not disrespectful to the memory of your loved one.
If you find that youre not feeling as badly as youd expected, dont give yourself a hard time about it.
Miss Dellora-McNally said people might wish to honour the memory of a loved one in some significant way.
Examples might be setting a place for them at the Christmas table, lighting a candle for them, listening to their favourite song or enjoying their favourite meal, she said.
Dont be afraid to alter your festive traditions if you need to.
Some traditions you have shared with your loved one for many years may be too difficult to consider this year.
You may like to use this year as a chance to create new traditions or try something different.
On Wednesday Albury Council held its Christmas remembrance service at Glenmorus Gardens.
Mayor Kevin Mack said the service provided a chance for comfort and had received wonderful feedback.
While Christmas for most is a time for happiness and celebration it is also a really tough time for many families who have lost loved ones, he said.
- For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
- The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement can be contacted for non-urgent telephone counselling on 1800 642 066