Comfort Over Chaos

Feeling anxious and overwhelmed during the holiday season when you're "supposed to be happy"? Exhausted, struggling to sleep and concentrate, restless with a constant low-grade agitation? Experiencing a disconnect between what you should ideally feel per societal expectations and what you actually experience?

I feel you. And you're not alone.

It's okay to feel all of this. It's okay to want to skip events. It's okay to not feel festive. If you're experiencing shutdowns or meltdowns, that doesn't mean you're failing. It means your nervous system is protecting you.

Why holidays hit different

Winter darkness increases our need for rest, but holidays demand constant activity and energy. The sensory overload of festivities (bright lights, loud gatherings, unfamiliar foods) compounds with disrupted routines, which are often our main anchor.

 Large friend and family gatherings require even more masking than usual, and research shows that masking causes anxiety, depression, and exhaustion.

Here's the trap: we want to belong, we don't want to seem "difficult," and we definitely don't want our struggles to dampen anyone else's joy. So we say yes when we mean no, and feel guilty for even considering our own wellbeing. Many of us were never taught that saying "no" is a valid option.

What you can actually do

Protect your basics first. Festivities disrupt routines, but you don't have to compromise on your non-negotiables: meals, medications, slow mornings, exercise, sleep. These aren't luxuries. They're what keep you functioning.

Permission to opt out. You don't have to travel or attend events if they disturb your peace. If you do want to participate, you can attend briefly and leave early. Choose small gatherings with people you actually know and feel comfortable with, rather than large events where you'll be performing the whole time.

Build in decompression time. Find time every day to destimulate: alone, in silence, doing whatever helps you regulate. Communicate your needs with a few trusted people so they can help you escape when necessary.

Delay responses to invites. "I'll think about it and get back to you" gives you decision-making time without pressure.

Reframe the guilt. You're not broken for struggling during holidays. It's far more common than you think. Many people around you are also masking. You're not responsible for managing other people's disappointment about your boundaries.

Make it work for you. Use the break to catch up on Term 1 readings or get ahead to ease future pressure. Connect with other international or neurodivergent students who are also staying in London. Treat this like the break your body and mind actually deserve, not what Instagram says it should be.

Have a crisis plan. Stay in touch with close friends or trusted people who understand. Identify a quiet place you can retreat to: your room, a specific cafe, even just a walk by the Thames. Have a comfort playlist or a few films ready for when you need to reset.

💙 Remember: shutdowns and meltdowns aren't failures. They're your nervous system protecting you.

The bottom line

Your goal isn't to have a "perfect" holiday. It's to get through it with your well-being intact. Choose comfort over chaos. Set boundaries without apology. Say no when you need to.

The people who truly matter will understand.

Resources & Support

Sometimes the best thing we can do is recognize when we need support. Here are some resources that might help:

LSE Wellbeing Services Book confidential one-on-one appointments through StudentHub to discuss anything affecting your mental health or studies. They offer counselling, mental health advisors, and can help with accommodations for your specific needs. Don't wait until crisis point to reach out.

Student MindsThe UK's student mental health charity with dedicated resources for neurodivergent students. They offer practical toolkits, peer support networks, and guides on managing university life with ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent profiles. Their online resources stay accessible even when campus support is limited during holidays.

Headspace  Guided meditation and mindfulness app with a student discount (as low as £8 per year). Offers 3-20 minute guided sessions for stress, anxiety, focus, and sleep. The structured, voice-guided approach works well for neurodivergent brains, especially their "SOS" sessions for acute overwhelm.

💙 Remember: using these resources isn't admitting defeat. Taking care of your mental health matters just as much as your physical health.