Neurodiversity is a word that describes the unique way that people’s brains work. Christmas is a Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus, usually with lots of tinsel and a lot of mince pies. However, although Christmas is widely celebrated, and while each family may have their own traditions, it can be a time of great stress and struggle.
Sensory Overload
“A sensory overload usually occurs when the brain is unable to process all of the information being received by the five senses.” An overload can be caused by many different things, including loud sounds, strong smells, big crowds, physical discomfort and bright lights, all of which can happen/ are present during Christmas.
It’s important to remember that everyone celebrates Christmas differently, and there is no shame in having a toned-down celebration with fewer decorations or even none. Designing it to suit individual needs and not conforming to traditional practices can help the holiday stay enjoyable while being stress-free. Maybe a Christmas spent without inviting all the extended family might be less anxiety-inducing, forgoing traditions further, enjoying the time with a good book cosied up and practising self-care is also a valid way to celebrate.
Along the same lines, thinking of your loved ones who might also be having the same stressful experience, extending a ‘get out of jail free card’ by starting celebrations early rather than into the night with small children is another method to consider. By doing this, you’re able to take away the stress of Christmas Day itself and make it a little bit easier to manage.
Socialising and Managing Expectations
From office parties to family gatherings, our social batteries can take an incredible toll during the Christmas period. During this time, it’s especially important to remember to do self-check-ins. Asking yourself if you’re going too fast or if it’s time for a break can be a really good way of regulating your social battery and preventing it from depleting before you find yourself struggling to catch up with everyone else in the room. It’s equally as important to ensure that we’re not comparing ourselves to others in terms of socialising; you shouldn’t feel bad for needing to take the backseat and let others lead the conversation.
Christmas is also a good time to practise managing the expectations of the people around you. This can include managing the expectations of your family, letting them know what and what not you’re comfortable with doing, as well as your coworkers with excusing yourself early from the office party or communicating your work-related needs.
Ending Thoughts
However you choose to celebrate this festive season, prioritising yourself and ensuring that you’re not under any unnecessary stress is valid. And although it might garner some side eyes from others, as long as you’re enjoying yourself, why compare? Let comparison not be the thief of our joy but the reason we can come together to share our happiness in the way we celebrate during the holidays. Equally, keeping an eye out for others and checking in on them can also make a big difference during this time; helping to maintain a safe space allows everyone to feel comfortable expressing their needs, which contributes to keeping the happy Christmas spirit alive!
At Carbon Global, we understand the stress of the holidays and support a culture of encouragement and positivity. As a lead generation and business development agency, it’s part of our collective responsibility to understand the human experience and needs of others. Cold calling and lead generation during the holiday season is difficult; having to try to converse with someone while knowing that the conversation is probably the last thing they want before they’re off on annual leave can naturally create a struggle. As mental health is a vital part of our company values, we utilise this time to focus on business development, positively looking into next year so that we can all breathe a little easier when it comes around.
Written by,
Shees Dawood | She/ Her
Team Assistant
Carbon Global