Parents Suzy and Richard Andrew have been feeling a bit more stress during this Christmas period, yet remain optimistic about making sure kids George, 13, Charlie, 10, and Douglas, seven, have a festive holiday.

"I try as much as possible to take things in my stride as they happen but obviously it's been getting a little tricky this year," Mr Andrew said.

"For me, it's about keeping things as normal as possible at home but it's definitely been a looming thing that we have no control of and it's easy to say don't worry about it because there's nothing you can do about it but that never works."

"Logistics is a bit of a challenge when we've got three kids and it doesn't help that we're planning to travel to Tasmania for Christmas, so getting everything that we need and bringing it all back is a bit of a challenge."

"It feels like it snuck up on me a bit and normally I am the one who gets all this stuff ready, I think I have about six different click and collects across five different parts of Canberra so it has been hectic."

ANU PhD researcher Aflaha Khan says post-lockdown anxiety is extremely common and with Christmas coming it's likely people are feeling even more on edge.

"It's important for people to slowly make their way back into normality since lockdown, for some there's an unpredictability associated with COVID that even when things seem to be back to normal there's still a lingering sense of how long will it be normal," Ms Khan said.

"While it feels like we're getting back to normal, everyone is living with a chronic level of anxiety that's higher than what it was before COVID because you just don't know whether the rules will change the next day, which has become really visible now with Omicron."

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"People are anticipating change and when you put Christmas into the mix with travel plans, there's always going to be hesitation because a lot of flexibility is required of the community from a practical and psychological sense."

Experts recommend taking care of yourself during this period to make sure everyone feels more at ease during an already stressful time of year.

"It's really important people prioritise looking after themselves during this stressful time. To eat well, exercise and spend time with friends are all necessary priorities," Ms Khan said.

"People may not actually think about self care in the psychological sense.

"A lot look at it to mean taking a bath or eating comfort food, which is definitely important, but it can also involve doing things that we may not actually find that pleasurable such as getting onto the things you procrastinate or a difficult fitness class."

CEO of the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT Bec Cody says it's important structures are set in place for families to look after one another during this tricky time.

"It can be a time where many experience high levels of stress and anxiety, feelings of social isolation and overall exacerbation of symptoms associated with mental ill healt," Ms Cody said.

"Having recently emerged from lockdown and felt the ongoing effects of COVID-19, the holiday period is likely to be particularly difficult for many."

"There are many fantastic community mental health services in the ACT and I highly encourage anyone who finds themselves struggling at this time of year to reach out for support and remember that they are not alone."

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