Christmas is a happy time of the year, but it can also be a very stressful time. People are under more stress during Christmas than at any other time of the year. "Children expect to get gifts that cost a lot of money because of television advertising," says Dr. Des Coombs. Dr. Coombs is the Director of Psychology with the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor. "Some people have money problems all of the time. They have to pay mortgages, car payments and meet children's needs." Dr. Coombs says there is also pressure to give gifts to family members. This causes more problems because many families can't afford to buy extra gifts. Some people put too much into Christmas. People often spend more than they can afford. They may also work too hard when getting their homes ready to welcome visitors. People may also put themselves under stress by visiting too many family and friends. "People make Christmas a very stressful time, when they should be making it a relaxing time," says Dr. Coombs. Christmas can also be a sad time. "People with loved ones who passed away remember them during Christmas. When you see a lot of happiness in other people, you are reminded of the sadness you feel inside." Dr. Coombs reminds people that Christmas doesn't have to be filled with stress and sadness. He says stress is caused by poor eating habits, a lack of sleep, no exercise and too much time at home. Dr. Coombs says, "It's important to watch what you eat. Eating foods that have a lot of sugar and fats can change how you feel emotionally. It can also affect your sleeping habits. This causes people to be nervous." Sleep habits may change during Christmas. Children may go to bed later at night and may get up earlier in the morning. Visitors may stay until late in the night. "It's very important that you get enough sleep," says Dr. Coombs. "If you can't sleep, then get some time to yourself when you can relax." Getting plenty of exercise is good for your body, but it is also good for your mind. It can help you sleep at night. "Exercise gives you half an hour to yourself. At Christmastime you're taking care of everybody else's needs. You have to remember to take care of yourself too. Exercise helps you to forget about your worries and gives your mind a rest. It's not only good physical health, but it's also good mental health." It is also important to visit family and friends during the Christmas season. "Christmas can be a very sad time for some people," says Dr. Coombs. "When you are sad, you may want to withdraw and not deal with other people. It's very important that, when you feel sad, you go out with other people who are positive and who are having a good time. This will help you not think about your problems." Dr. Coombs says, "Eating well, sleeping well, and good exercise are the first steps to good mental health, not only during Christmas, but all year."

Signs of Mental Health Problems Dr. Coombs reminds people that mental health problems can happen at anytime. Some of the things to look for include changes in sleeping and eating habits. There may be a problem if your sleeping habits change for more than four days in a row. You may wake up two or three hours earlier in the morning, or you may have trouble falling asleep. Other signs of mental health problems include losing or gaining weight. Feeling tired all of the time or crying a lot are other signs. Dr. Coombs says you should visit your family doctor if you suffer from these conditions.