As the song goes, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But underneath the surface it can be an extremely challenging time for those in recovery or struggling with their mental health, as well as parents, carers, family and friends.

The holiday season often comes with the additional pressure to keep things fun and festive, ensuring everything is ‘perfect’ for the big day. There is an expectation around the holidays to be happy, relaxed and ‘jolly’, but it can be hard to get in the Christmas spirit when you’re feeling isolated and unsure about how to manage the holidays this year.

If you’re feeling anxious, worried or stressed about the upcoming festivities know that it’s okay and you’re not alone in feeling that way at this time of year. Take a deep breath, and remember this time is to spend time with loved ones and it doesn’t need to be perfect. Christmas can be a challenging time for individuals with an eating disorder, as well as those supporting a loved one in recovery.

Our newest Christmas guide has been produced by our team at First Steps ED, in collaboration with Hannah from Full of Beans Podcast with the hope to offer guidance and support to parents and carers over the festive period.