Who doesn’t love Christmas? (A slow, steady forest of hands emerges…) Actually, a resounding number of us don't and not feeling Christmassy is the least of it, many of us are galloping towards a full festive freakout.

Still, being sad on Christmas feels almost shameful doesn’t it? Like being bored at Disneyland or those people who don’t really like dogs, we keep these unpopular thoughts to ourselves.

You’re not the only one suppressing their secret dislike of the holidays though, far from it in fact. The American Psychological Association reported that 38% of respondents confessed that festive holidays make them more stressed out than usual. Meanwhile, a similar poll found at least 10% of people in the United States dislike Christmas, which is approximately 30 million people for starters.

Though you might not feel as though you’re sinking into serious Christmas depression, Christmas anxiety and feeling generally sad at Christmas is widespread and a 2021 survey showed that 3 in 5 Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays.

Yet somehow Christmas still gets excellent press and the hype reignites year after year but as well as being the season of holly, jolly, merry and bright, it’s undeniable that for millions of us, Christmas is stressful.

An extensive research report by the American Psychiatric Association found that:

• The biggest cause of Christmas anxiety was affording and choosing the perfect gift.

• Working long hours over the holidays was a significant factor for feeling depressed at Christmas

• Men are more worried than women about complex family dynamics and festive social plans

Add to the mix a spike in the unhealthiest lifestyle choices of late nights, overeating and alcohol consumption, not to mention the lack of money from buying up all the magic and it makes us wonder why Christmas sadness isn’t even more prolific?

1. Dose up on Vitamin D3

If you live in the northern hemisphere, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is at its highest in the winter months when essential Vitamin D3 synthesized from sunshine, is in scant supply. Vitamin D3 in the body has a direct impact on serotonin levels in the brain and its depletion exacerbates symptoms of underlying depression. Supplementing vitamin D in the winter months is smart but watch out because over 90% of Vitamin D supplements don’t work, simply because their dosage is too low to make an impact.

Check your labels because the LYMA Supplement contains an optimized daily clinical dose of 2,000 i.u. of Vita-Algae D3™, as opposed to the standard 600 i.u. that you’ll find in most generic Vitamin D supplements. Cut ties with historical Christmas stress and anxiety, politely decline the depressing Christmas of old and go with the ghost of Christmas present.

Start afresh and create the Christmas you want moving forwards. All traditions start somewhere and where better than right here, this year? Design your festive traditions to cater to happiness rather than obligation with everyone mucking in, increased outdoors elements and a gentler time for one and all.

2. Make your own spark and enjoy Christmas more

Nurture your mental health at Christmas and identify, diamonds aside, what brings you joy. Establish the touchstones you need to restock your energy reserves and reinforce your mind against Christmas depression; be that board games instead of TV, fresh air, alone time or a healthier menu, serve yourself as well as you do everyone else.

3. Silent night, is the most holy night

Deep, restorative sleep is the most powerful tactic of all against festive fatigue and the potentially icy path down to Christmas depression. Research shows that those with sleeping disorders like insomnia report significantly higher rates of depression than those without.

A full schedule of festivities and increased alcohol intakes make sleeping pills a bad choice so natural, proven sleep aids are far preferable. Full spectrum adaptogen Sensoril® Ashwagandha is the most potent ashwagandha extract on the market and completely safe to take long-term. LYMA doses Sensoril® Ashwagandha at 250mg; the clinically proven effective dose.

Optimal health and wellbeing is a good idea all year round but particularly over the festive season, LYMA comes into its own.

• The world’s most validated supplement formulated with ten peer-reviewed, patented ingredients is the scientifically proven route to lifting mood, aiding quality sleep, increasing mental agility and boosting you into feeling festive.

• Use the award-winning Laser for plumper, glowing skin and sharper contours but also for carving out time to yourself amidst Christmas chaos. Fifteen minutes a day is the least you and your skin deserve this Christmas.

• Further accelerate the Laser’s remarkable results with LYMA’s epigenetic skincare actives that increase long-term hydration, natural collagen reserves and the regenerative energy of cells - aka the ideal antidote for dull, drab, overindulged skin.

LYMA is here to give you the best skin of your life this Christmas, from inside and out. No receipts necessary.