Looking After Your Wellbeing At Christmas

Blogmas Christmas

Blogmas: How To Look After Your Wellbeing At Christmas

by Steph Fox 13th December 2021

Thankfully this year this post isn’t coinciding with the ‘Tier 4’ and lockdown news we got this time last year (yet…please no), and although things are a lot more normal this year, we still shouldn’t neglect our mental health and wellbeing just because we had it worse last year. Christmas can be a really stressful time even without a pandemic, with so much more to do and remember, and it’s often a time for heightened emotions. Here’s some tips on how to look after your wellbeing at Christmas.

Like everyone I’ve had high highs and low lows this year, and it wasn’t quite the totally back to normal year we hoped for. Granted overall it’s been a lot better than last year, but some of those situations are still lingering, and emerging out of a pandemic has not been straightforward. Despite this I think it’s important to recognise that even without all of that, this time of year can be tough anyway. It’s expensive, we feel the pressure to remember everything, see everyone, hit work deadlines, cook Christmas dinner, buy gifts and all the rest.

A couple of years ago my December was so busy, I didn’t have a moment to breathe. I was travelling a lot with work, as well as a trip with friends, we had just moved house, and we still did all the nights out, days out and Christmas activities. I was exhausted by Christmas Day. This year, I’ve still been pretty busy, but I think I’ve got the balance a bit better. Ive had my moments on some Sunday nights where I’ve thought I’m shattered and haven’t stopped. I’ve loved seeing people and doing things again, but I have planned it slightly better so that I have some days with nothing on. It really helps.

Some situations can make Christmas one of the hardest times, if people have suffered loss, loneliness, relationships deteriorating, or if they feel like they’ve not achieved enough through the year. Throw the past two years into the mix and the lasting effects and it’s easy to get into a spiral of negative thoughts, and that’s ok.

Here’s some general things to consider to help look after your wellbeing at Christmas, to try make life that little bit easier.

The Perfect Christmas

…is whatever Christmas that works for you. I think we’ve all realised like any Christmas it’s not about the presents, it’s about people in your life. I’d much rather spend time over money with people.

Absolutely all of us have been hit in some way – spending more on food, spending more on alcohol, doing up our homes as we spent so much time in them, taking pay cuts, furlough pay etc. Take the pressure off yourself when it comes to money as much as you can, and let go of the expectation that you have to spend so much, give so much and do so much. People will understand if you don’t and you will feel much better for it.

Accept Offers Of Help

I really think people mean it now when they offer to help others, so there should be less of a fear around accepting it if you really need it. People don’t do it just because it’s the right thing to say, they do actually want to help. So if you get an offer and could do with some input, even as small as picking something up from the shop, just accept the help.

If it’s tradition that you make Christmas dinner on your own every single year, but it feels a bit overwhelming this year, take the help when it’s offered or give people a task to do.

Avoid Food/Drink Guilt

I know this is easier said than done for some people but take the pressure off yourself when it comes to your diet and body image too. If you want the extra mince pie just have it. If you want to avoid sugary or unhealthy foods then do it. If you want to drink then go for it, if you know it triggers you the wrong way, say no.

The point is to do whatever works for you.

Unfollow What & Who Doesn’t Make You Feel Good

Strangers are the easiest people to admire, and to follow. It is said time and time again that we should never assume someone’s instagram is their reality, it’s a highlight reel. Christmas is the perfect time for a social media clear out, and get rid of anyone who makes you feel less about yourself. But also remember people naturally share more at this time of year.

Unfollow in real life too, if someone brings you down or doesn’t bring anything to the table there is no place for them in your life. Friends are there to be supportive, and if you’re not getting what you need from someone it’s time to say goodbye. There doesn’t even need to be a drama over it.

If you don’t feel like you can unfollow then theres a handy little mute tool which also works, and if there’s something that particularly triggers you there’s also a way to mute certain key words and hashtags from appearing in your feeds.

Make Lists (& Check Them Twice)

Of anything and everything as they will make you feel more organised. And give a big feeling of satisfaction when you can tick things off. Even small lists like what you need to do the next day can help. Use your calendar to keep track of what you’ve got on. If you’ve got loads of plans make sure you allow for some chill days in amongst them. I’ve definitely got better at that this year and feel better for it.

Go Back Through Your Camera Roll

Even if this year hasn’t been as good as we hoped it would be, I bet if you scroll through your camera roll you will find some happy memories. There’s a lot more in mine this year than there was last year and I’m very glad to see it. Reflecting back isn’t a bad thing, it shows us what we enjoyed. It’s not always easy but try to turn hard times into lessons learned where possible.

Plan Catch Ups With People You Haven’t Seen In A while

As much as switching off and taking time for yourself is important, so is being around people and speaking to those you care about. Whether it’s a call or FaceTime, a drink after work one night, grabbing a bite to eat or planning a big day together, seeing people we care about is always a mood lifter.

Over the last week I’ve met up with people I hadn’t seen for ages, and made plans with people for over Christmas when I have time off. It’s nice to catch up and make up for lost time last year.

Go Outside

A walk and some fresh air never fails. Especially if it’s cold outside and you can get wrapped up. Take the dog for a walk and play music – I do this every night when I log off work. Working from home means you’re outside a lot less so make sure you get out.

Evaluate Your Habits

This is something I didn’t do at all until I gave bullet journaling a go last year, but it’s so surprising what you find out about yourself once you looking at the repetitive habits you do every day.

I have a full blog post on bullet journaling here, but in general just looking at your habits and making a conscious effort to be aware of the ones you want to keep or try get rid of can really help. It gives you a level of control over them when they’re in black and white in front of you so write them down. The good, the bad and the ugly.

You can also see patterns in how you’re feeling, and it helps to recognise if some of them affect your wellbeing. And finally it’s a really good way to stay organised. Everything is in one place and gives you a lot of control over your life. For some people that really helps their day to day life.

Practice Self Care With the Small Things

I think we’ve all had these tips given to us so many times over the past year, especially when we were coping with lockdowns and the uncertainty ahead. They still work and apply now.

Switch your phone off and have a digital detox

Exercise if it makes you feel better.

Drink plenty water.

Give yourself a pamper day.

Have a hot bath with candles.

Call a friend.

Here’s one of my own posts on hygge and how to experience it that you might find useful. It’s all about being content in the moment without always striving for more.

At Christmas it’s easy to get carried along by the fast paced nature of it, with a never ending to do list and time running out before shops shut. People get so panicky over it.

Being consciously aware of our wellbeing at Christmas can only work to our advantage in order to help us on the down days or the days we feel overwhelmed. Don’t forget to talk to people, don’t bottle up how you’re feeling, and look after yourself.

resources:

Anyone in the UK can text SHOUT to 85258 if you are struggling and a trained crisis volunteer will text you back. The service is free.

Anxiety UK. Tel 03444 775 774 Mon – Fri 9:30am-5:30pm

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. Tel. 0800 58 58 58. 5pm to midnight Web. www.thecalmzone.net

MIND. Mental Health and Anxiety support. Tel. 0300 123 3393. Mon – Fri 9am to 6pm. Web. www.mind.org.uk

Samaritans. Confidential support. Tel. 116 123 Available 24 hours. Web. www.samaritans.org.uk