Practice kindness
Despite what the songs on the radio and the films on TV say, this time of year doesn’t always bring out the best in people. When people are being ratty, unreasonable or just plain rude it may help to remember that everyone is fighting their own battles. You don’t know what is going on underneath the surface. Despite provocation try and be kind rather than snapping back – spread kindness and hopefully you will feel happier and others may follow your example.
Breathe!
Mindfulness is a current trend and may feel like a bit of a fad but in reality, there is a lot of compelling evidence to support the benefits of this practice. If you haven’t had the chance why not check out Catriona Jink’s easy breathing exercises or our guide to getting mindfulness straight to your smartphone.
Set some time aside for you
Christmas is a really busy time but don’t forget that you need time to relax too. Whether you spend 10 minutes walking the dog or feeding the birds, taking a bath or reading a book try and take a little bit of time each day that is just for you. If you feel that you need some extra support please contact us 08080 10 10 11 – our brilliant helpline staff and volunteers can offer a listening ear and advice on how to get some support for you.
Go outside
At the moment it feels like it is dark for 90% of the day so finding the motivation to get outside can be hard but taking a small amount of exercise every day is very beneficial for tackling stress. We think that the mind and body are separate, but what you do with your body can have a powerful effect on your mental wellbeing. Evidence shows that there is a link between being physically active and good mental wellbeing. Plan to spend a little time each day being active, even if this is just a little short walk around the block.
Forget about Christmas expectations…
And just have the Christmas that suits you this year. No tree? No turkey? No family? However, your December 25th is going to be fine, don’t waste time worrying about what others are doing; focus on getting through your day and hopefully managing to have an OK time.