‘Tis the season to be jolly! Here are a few reminders to help manage the most wonderful time of the year so Christmas 2021 can come and go without too much angst or worry.
If you are not already doing this, please give your best chance at feeling good this Christmas and get sufficient, good quality sleep, hydrate with water and fuel your body with nourishing foods. Learn to control your breath and breathing and get regular exercise
Emotions and Feelings
When we are busy, life can seem like an endless list of tasks and when we have time on our hands, life can seem pretty boring or even sad. Pay attention to your emotions and to how you feel. If you are not in great form, ask yourself what you can do to improve your mood and try to do that.
Make little changes in your day to accommodate your feelings, if you need to move more, then move more often! Take responsibility for your wellbeing. If you feel that you need to rest, then rest.
When feeling stressed or anxious, exercise can help to burn off excess energy and sleep helps with tiredness. Pay attention to how you feel and make little changes accordingly. Cut back on commitments if you’re under pressure or feel stretched. If you have time to kill then perhaps volunteer or ask a neighbour (or a new mom) how you can be of help or service.
Do something for you!
When we are busy caring for others, we can lose sight of our favourite pastimes. Make a list of things that help you feel good or positive e.g. reading fiction, knitting, painting your toe nails, soaking in a bubbly bath, playing loud music or an instrument etc. That list can be part of your self-care or a reward system if you need to incentivise yeucky tasks! You might need to study over Christmas for example so do a deal with yourself – I’ll study for half an hour then I get to do something on that ‘Nice Things To Do’ list.
We might need time away from people to recharge our batteries particularly at Christmas when we can put ourselves under pressure to have the perfect day. Take that time whether it is going for a shower or going outside to hoover the car, give yourself a break from people if you need it. The opposite is true – if you tend to avoid people, perhaps you might make a concerted effort to spend time in the company of others this holiday period.
Keep in mind, Christmas day is just that – one day. It does not have to be ‘perfect’. Try to enjoy the day – whether you are on your own or in the company of others, let the day come and go without stressing yourself.
The past is past!
Our minds may want to remind us of mistakes we made, however, you made progress. Consider everything you achieved this past year. You’ve grown and changed as the year progressed. Yes we have aged but with age comes wisdom! There is reason to celebrate and feel proud. Despite the hardships and difficulties, we are still here.
Everyone makes mistakes. There is no perfect human despite what people might have you believe! Take it easy, you’ve had a strange year. Covid-19 is still hanging around so try to let go of past errors and memories of people you feel have wronged you. Instead, perhaps you might keep your focus on accomplishments, achievements, and stay in the present. We only have today, right now this moment. What purpose does it serve for you to keep going back to historic upsets? If it helps you feel positive, that’s perfect – keep at it! If not………you know what to do! Acknowledge that your mind is giving you these thoughts but you are not your thoughts. Sing, dance, laugh, chat, live your life as best you can.
If you find that you simply can’t let go of past wrong doings or trauma in your life then reach out and seek support. There are agencies who provide low cost counselling such as MyMind or for anyone who had childhood trauma try Connect and if you’re feeling suicidal contact Pieta
Feed your senses
Light candles with wonderful scents (smell); admire scenery (sight); eat nourishing or new foods (taste); wear textured clothes that feel nice or use moisturiser (touch): listen to the sounds around you (hearing). Breathe, feel, experience your place in the world. Pay attention to this season, what does winter/December feel like to you?
Feed your creativity
Bake, create, paint, draw, sculpt, play music, write a story or poetry. Go outdoors and be in nature, take your shoes off and walk in the grass or at the beach. Watch a film and write a review. Visit a museum, art gallery or heritage site keep active, busy, connected and make time for you to be creative this December.
Reminders
Spend time in the company of others. Talk about how you’re feeling. Make a plan of action to tackle worries that are within your control. Spend time in nature because it is therapeutic. Feed ducks and birds. Don’t rely on sugar / alcohol / caffeine to perk you up. Mind your body to mind your mind. Do something unexpectedly kind for someone because you both benefit. Be gentle with yourself. You are wonderful.
Reach Out
50808 is a free service – it can be nice to have someone at the end of the phone. Contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org and if under 18, contact Childline 1800666666
Enjoy December. We have much for which to be grateful.
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