December is a time when we’re surrounded by joyful jingles about a wonderful time of year. But, what if this compulsory cheerfulness leaves you cold?

It can be a time of year for feelings of isolation, social anxiety and budget worries. For those who have lost loved ones, there are feelings of grief. For many, there is a sense of pressure to keep others happy.

Everyone is different, but the Sparkle Toolkit can help to navigate festive anxiety. Even if you’re a fully-fledged Christmas fan, it’s helpful to know that others may be working hard to maintain good mental health through the season.

The seven steps to SPARKLE: S – Set boundaries – Say No to things which aren’t helpful for you P – Plan ahead – What will help you cope when things feel difficult? A – Arrange activities – Plan in time for a walk or buy yourself a new book R – Realistic expectations  – No Christmas can ever be perfect K – Be kind to yourself – Do the things which you know help you feel OK L – Look for support – Make a list of people and places you can turn to E – Enjoy what you can  – Live in the moment and savour any small joys