Happiful November 2019
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HAPPIFUL’S NEW COLUMNIST!<br />
@GRACEFVICTORY<br />
I am an absolute advocate for<br />
having boundaries in place, and<br />
only doing things that you really<br />
want to do. But unfortunately, that<br />
advice isn’t always feasible. We<br />
can’t always get out of festivities, so<br />
here is a little list of things you can<br />
do to help you during this time –<br />
and remember, you aren’t alone in<br />
feeling anxious. This too shall pass.<br />
1<br />
Have an escape plan. Know<br />
where the back door is, the<br />
toilets, a quiet room. If you feel<br />
uncomfortable or as if you can’t<br />
breathe, remove yourself from the<br />
situation. You can excuse yourself<br />
to go to the loo, or say you need<br />
some fresh air.<br />
Photography | Paul Buller<br />
my energy, and can make me feel<br />
drained. I didn’t know how to<br />
recharge and put boundaries in<br />
place so that I felt safe and secure.<br />
Social anxiety, for me, was all<br />
about a fear of being seen, being<br />
judged, and being laughed at –<br />
which is funny because these are<br />
all topics I am speaking about in<br />
therapy at the moment.<br />
As we approach the festive<br />
season, social anxiety can be<br />
heightened for those who already<br />
suffer with it, or it can be new and<br />
confusing feelings for those who<br />
haven’t really experienced anxiety<br />
before. Social engagements seem<br />
to happen every week, alcohol is<br />
nearly always involved, and you<br />
may have to attend events with<br />
people that you don’t particularly<br />
like or know.<br />
Towards the end of the year is<br />
also the time you may be around<br />
family more, and for some people<br />
this can be a real trigger due to<br />
childhood trauma. It can often feel<br />
like you’re forcing happiness and<br />
socialising, when all you want to<br />
do is hide under the covers with a<br />
box of Maltesers, while watching<br />
The Grinch.<br />
2<br />
Keep your routine. There is<br />
nothing worse than having<br />
a mental health down day (or<br />
week/month) on top of your usual<br />
routine going out the window.<br />
With all the events towards the<br />
end of the year, you might find<br />
you’re not eating enough veggies,<br />
not having enough sleep, and not<br />
finding enough time for you. Try<br />
to keep parts of your life ‘normal’<br />
so you remain with some of your<br />
familiarity and routine.<br />
3<br />
Organise a support group.<br />
This can be as simple as a<br />
WhatsApp group chat with a few<br />
of your mates; a place where you<br />
can all hold space for each other<br />
during this difficult period.<br />
Love<br />
Grace x
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