Support, balance and small steps to help you through December.
The festive season can be a time of warmth and celebration, but for many it also brings pressure. Between the rising cost of living, expectations to spend and socialise, and the push to stay cheerful, this time of year can feel far from easy.
Our Coping During the Holiday Season campaign is here to help you take a step back, breathe, and focus on what really matters. Whether you are feeling stretched financially, emotionally, or just worn out after a long year, we are sharing practical tips and sources of support to help you stay steady through the season.
Because behind the lights and laughter, you are not alone if things feel difficult.
Mood Check In Quiz
Before you explore the rest of this page, take a moment to see where you’re at. The holidays can stir up all kinds of emotions, some days feel light and festive, others more stressful or flat. However you are feeling, it helps to pause and notice what you need.
Take a minute to complete our short Mood Check-In Quiz to see where you are right now and find simple guidance based on your mood. Whether you need to slow down, reach out, or lift someone else’s spirits, there is always a small step you can take today.
Results
It sounds like things might feel heavy right now. You are not alone, and you do not need to face this on your own.
Our Helpline and Live Chat are here 24/7 for free, confidential support with emotional or financial worries. Whether you are struggling to make ends meet or just need someone to listen, we are always here.
Call 0345 605 1956 or use Live Chat any time.
You can also download our Self Support App for tools, advice, and wellbeing tips you can use privately at your own pace.
You might be juggling a lot at once, and that takes its toll. Remember that even a short pause can make a difference.
Take five minutes for yourself, step away from your phone, breathe deeply, or go for a walk. The world will wait while you take a moment to reset.
Visit our Wellbeing Academy for practical advice on managing stress, improving sleep, and maintaining balance.
And if things start to feel like too much, our Helpline is always available to talk things through.
You are keeping things together, and that is something to be proud of. Even when you are managing well, it is important to keep checking in with yourself and taking small steps to recharge.
Keep up your healthy routines, get enough rest, and stay connected to people who lift you up. Explore our Self Support App for bite-sized wellbeing reminders and tips to help you maintain your balance.
That is great to hear. If you are in a good place, you have the chance to spread that positivity to others.
Check in on a mate, share a kind word, or encourage your team to take a break together. Small gestures can make a big difference for someone who is struggling.
If you want to help further, consider organising a small fundraiser or awareness activity to support our wellbeing work across the construction community.
#1. What’s taking up most of your mental energy at the moment?
#2. How are you handling your workload and commitments?
#3. What helps you most when things get tough?
#4. If you could give yourself one thing this Christmas, what would it be?
#5. What’s been hardest for you lately?
#6. How supported do you feel right now?
#7. How are you feeling as the holidays approach?
#8. How are you sleeping?
#9. How would you describe your energy levels?
#10. When was the last time you took a proper break for yourself?
Managing Financial Pressure
Money worries can make December one of the hardest months of the year. The average person in the UK now spends around £923 over the festive season, almost £600 of that on gifts alone, and for many, that extra cost lingers well into the new year.
A recent survey by StepChange Debt Charity found that one in four people (28%) expect to struggle to afford Christmas, while 8%, around four million people, plan to rely on credit to get through the season. Nearly half of those borrowing say it will take them more than six months to repay their festive spending.
For people working in construction, where income can fluctuate, sites close, and job security is often uncertain, this extra financial strain can feel even heavier. But there are ways to ease the pressure and keep the holidays enjoyable without stretching yourself too thin.
Small steps that can make a difference:
- Set a clear budget: Decide what you can realistically afford and stick to it.
- Rethink the gift list: Meaningful, low-cost gestures often mean more than expensive presents.
- Get creative: Homemade gifts, upcycled decorations, and shared meals keep costs down and memories up.
- Share the load: Agree on spending limits or organise a Secret Santa at work or with family.
- Ask for help early: If money worries are starting to build, reach out. Our Helpline can talk you through budgeting and support options before things spiral.
Looking After Your Mental Health
It is often called “the most wonderful time of the year”, but for many it is also the hardest. Research shows that 88% of people feel pressured to appear happy over Christmas, and 84% say their mental health worsens during this time.
Those working in construction face particular challenges. Long hours, financial strain, isolation, or the absence of loved ones can make December feel overwhelming. On top of that, the pressure to “get into the spirit” can make it harder to open up when things are not okay.
This campaign is here to remind our community that it is completely normal to find the season difficult and that help is always here if you need it.
Gentle reminders for a calmer Christmas:
- Set boundaries: You do not have to say yes to every invitation or request.
- Focus on what matters most: Laughter, time, and rest are worth more than perfection.
- Stay connected: Check in with a mate or reach out if you are feeling low.
- Step back from social media: Remember, it shows the highlights, not the full picture.
- Look after yourself first: Rest, eat well, and find small moments of calm each day.
- Talk about it: Reaching out is a sign of strength, and support is here day and night.
Need To Talk?
You never have to face the holidays alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is never far away. We offer free and confidential support to anyone in the construction community. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, financial worries or just need someone to talk to, there’s a way for you to reach us.
Click through the slides below to find out more about the free, confidential support services available to you.
Download our ‘Coping During the Holiday Season‘ assets, including graphics and social media copy.
