By the time February arrives, Christmas feels firmly in the past, but for many families, the strain it placed on already-stretched nervous systems is still very present.

For many families, the moment the Christmas tree comes down marks more than the end of the festive season. It signals a shift in energy, routine, and expectations within the home. The lights are packed away. The decorations return to the loft. School bags are repacked. Alarms are reset. And suddenly, the pace of life changes again. For neurodivergent children, and for the parents supporting them, this transition can feel surprisingly heavy.

For many families, Christmas doesn’t end neatly on Boxing Day. Instead, the days that follow feel harder. Routines unravel. Emotions run closer to the surface. Children who managed, just about, suddenly melt down, withdraw, refuse things they were coping with only days before.

October carries a quiet invitation. As the leaves fall and the air cools, nature gently reminds us to slow down, to release, and to rest. And this year, as World Mental Health Day approaches on the 10th of October, it offers a powerful reminder that caring for your own emotional wellbeing isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.