23/12/2021
Put together by Worcestershire NHS Trust and stolen but great hints and tips for looking after yourELF this Christmas
1. Keep things in perspective At Christmas we often put ourselves under a huge amount of emotional and financial pressure in our quest for perfect festivities - but try not to expect too much of yourself. Imagine how unimportant the stress of Christmas preparations will seem in a couple of months' time - or even in a couple or weeks' time.
2. Do one thing at a time Make a list of the things that you need to do to prepare for Christmas. Review it and cross out anything that isn't essential, then decide which item is the most important. Do that one thing and ignore everything else on the list for the time being. Then prioritise the next thing and so on. As you achieve each thing, the rest of your list will seem easier.
3. Take time out for yourself Even if it is just 10 minutes, lose yourself in something unconnected to Christmas - read a few pages of a book, listen to some music or go for a walk.
4. Live in the moment There's no point dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Living in the moment is easier said than done but simple mindfulness exercises can help to focus your mind on the present.
5. Talk about your anxieties Talking with a friend or relative about the things that are worrying you can help you to realise that some of them aren't so important after all, and help you to focus on one or two things that are at the root of your worry.
6. Don't have a competitive Christmas If you believe social media, everyone else will be enjoying merrier, better decorated, more delicious, infinitely better planned Christmases than you, topped off by the most thoughtful gifts. Don't be fooled or sucked in. Although it can be fun to swap festive wishes online, a core driver of social media is the instinct to show off and out-do others. Don't try to keep up with the Facebook-Joneses: do your own thing and leave them to compete on social media.
7. Know your limitations Don’t push yourself too far, we should all be in tune with our body and mind and know when we are getting stressed. Try not to overwhelm or overcommit yourself. It’s ok to say no to social events. You cannot be all things to all people, so don’t try to achieve the impossible.
8. Help others Helping others or performing small acts of kindness is great for our own mental wellbeing. You could listen to a colleague's Christmas anxieties, do some festive volunteering at a local charity, or take a festive treat to a lonely neighbour. Try it - you'll feel good!
9. Sleep well Avoid using smartphones, tablets or laptops before bed as they disrupt our ability to sleep - try reading a book or magazine instead - and don't sleep with a television on. Avoid coffee, cola and energy drinks for a few hours before sleep; caffeine is a stimulant and can stop us sleeping but recent research shows that it also resets our body-clock, postponing our sleep and subsequent wake times.
10. Breathe The simplest mental wellbeing trick of all. Before sleep or whenever you feel stress or anxiety building, concentrate for a minute or so on taking slow, steady, deep breaths, emptying your lungs as much as possible in between each breath. Breathe in for four counts and out for six, in through your nose, out through your mouth.
