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Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, but it can also be a time filled with stress and loneliness
Christmas
can be a wonderful time of year, but it can also be a time filled with stress
and loneliness.
Christmas can be a wonderful time to catch up with friends and family, but it can also be a very lonely time for many people. Some people are totally over-stretched and exhausted as they try to fit in all the visits they want to do to friends and relatives, and for other people Christmas means several days of loneliness. Some people are far away from their families due to having moved away. Others have lost close family members or lost touch with friends and family for a variety of reasons. For other people it means several days of travelling to visit different parts of the family. Either way, stress can take its toll.
This is where self-care can make a huge difference. By taking the time to check in with yourself and make sure you’re doing okay, you benefit not only yourself, but those around you.
This Christmas make self-care a priority.
Wherever you are or whatever you do, make sure you take good care of yourself. Here are a few ideas.
1. Time for yourself
Self-care is about taking time for yourself. Even if you feel lonely or exhausted around Christmas, decide to do things that will nourish your body, mind and soul. Plan it in and stick to your plan. Meditate, go for long walks in nature, read an uplifting book, cook something delicious, take a bath, write in your journal, breathe, do some yoga, watch a film, do some volunteering, and really do take the time for this. I have noticed in my work as a coach that it is the people with low self-confidence that are struggling with self-care while people with higher confidence are more likely to have a self-care routine. Somehow this has to do with a sense of deserving or not. But remember that everyone deserves self-care.
2. Eat well
For many people this time of year is an invitation to stuff yourself silly with indulgent food all in the name of ‘enjoyment’. By all means, enjoy Christmas lunch and the party food, but be a little careful and focus on healthy food as well. I notice that a lot of people get colds after Christmas. This is a sign that your body and immune system is struggling to cope. So make sure you eat plenty of the cleansing and alkalising greens during Christmas. Green smoothies or juices are great. Also, salads and soups. And why not take some extra vitamin C to boost your immune system. Decide that this Christmas you are going to feel well and not heavy and bloated.
3. Make sure that Christmas is enjoyable for you
I often hear people say that they would like to focus more on self-care but they just have too many obligations. My advice is to take a long good look at your ‘obligations’ and drop the ones that feel too much or are too draining. Basically, you need to say ‘No’. And instead focus on the things that you enjoy and that feel meaningful to you. You need to enjoy Christmas. Sit down and have a think about how you would like your Christmas to be. And then implement it.
4. Have a morning practice
Some form of morning practice can make a huge difference. Add meaning to your morning! And create a foundation for the rest of the day. It doesn’t have to be a long routine. Just something to wake you up, refresh you, and create some calm and mental space. Here are a few suggestions.
1. A large glass of lemon water.
2. Movement. 10-15 min of some kind of movement such as dance, yoga, weightlifting or a quick walk around the block.
3. Meditation. 10-15 min of silence focusing on your breath.
4. Think about 5 things you are grateful for.
5. Screen free time
Christmas is a great time to slow down on social media. Why not turn off your phone for a couple of days? Facebook feeds could be a serious downer at this time of year. From magical Christmas events you don’t get to attend, to friends off on tropical holidays or other travels. The less time you spend scrolling this Christmas, the happier you’ll be. This also gives you time to do other things.
