12 days of Christmas wellbeing
Whilst the holiday period is an opportunity for people to unwind and relax, for many people it can also be a period of great stress and anxiety. Rather than an opportunity to release the pressure valve, some people put additional pressure on themselves to create the perfect Christmas dinner or holiday experience. For others, family dynamics can be a source of tension.
As we begin the countdown to Christmas, the team at the Mindful Smiles Hub have curated some tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing during this busy period.
Day 1. It’s not just about presents – just be present.
Christmas is a time of gifts, and we get enjoyment both from giving and receiving gifts. But one of the best presents you can give to friends and loved ones is simply being present. Particularly if you are catching up with people who you might not have seen in a long time. Your time and attention is more valuable than any gift that you can buy, and a genuine connection with another person can be extremely powerful. And don’t forget to treat yourself with a present too.
Day 2. Don’t believe the hype.
The lead-up to Christmas and the holiday period is replete with news stories and social media images designed to help you curate the perfect experience. It’s easy to get drawn in to hype, but that just creates more pressure – and this can be a particular problem for perfectionists! Remember, comparison is the thief of joy – so just focus on enjoying your own experience, and don’t worry about what others are doing.
Day 3. Cheers! But not too much.
Holidays are traditionally a period of celebration, and that often goes hand-in-hand with alcohol consumption. It’s OK to have a few drinks, but drinking too much can sap your enjoyment, leave you feeling irritable and lacking energy. It can be a problem with back-to-back engagements over the holiday periods. Alcohol can also play a role in exacerbating family disagreements and disputes, so it can be sensible to moderate alcohol consumption at some of those large family gatherings. Enjoy alcohol in moderation, and remember that it’s completely acceptable to have non-alcohol days during the break. You can read more about maladaptive coping and alcohol consumption guidelines here.
Day 4. You are not responsible for other people’s happiness.
Firstly – that’s actually Santa’s job. But more importantly, you can’t control everything that happens and ensure that everyone has a good time. So take a step back and focus on your own wellbeing and happiness.
Day 5. Get out into nature.
Whether you are going away for holidays or staying local, ensure that you take the opportunity to explore your surrounds and get out into nature. Make a deliberate effort to connect with the natural beauty of your surrounds. Maybe take the opportunity to start practising mindfulness, which helps with health, happiness and wellbeing.
Day 6. Reconnect with others.
Set aside some quality time to spend with friends – particularly those that you might not have seen for a while. And make sure that you check in on their wellbeing too.
Day 7. Go for a walk.
Exercise is good for your health and wellbeing and can be particularly important with all the festive food and drinking. But a walk is a good way to take a break from others too. Set some time aside each day to be active. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a marathon – a simple walk in the park will deliver important benefits.
Day 8. Get plenty of sleep.
As kids, you probably stayed up late to try and catch a glimpse of Santa delivering the presents, and then woke up early to open presents. Adults often forgo sleep during the holiday period. We know that sleep is so vital for our mental health and wellbeing, and poor sleep patterns can compound mental health issues. So make sure that you take the time to get plenty of good quality sleep over the break.
Day 9. Sugary treats.
Just like alcohol, there is a tendency to overindulge with unhealthy foods and sugary treats. It’s important to enjoy yourself, but moderation here is also important. Not only can junk food contribute to poor physical health, it can also negatively affect your mental health and wellbeing. So make sure that you take it easy around the dining table.
Day 10. Setting boundaries.
Boundaries are important in daily life, but they are particularly important during the festive period. Many health practitioners are people pleasers, and find it hard to say no out of fear of disappointing love ones. The reality is that there is a limit to the number of parties, gatherings and activities that you can attend before it starts to take a toll. It’s OK to say no, and to protect your own time and wellbeing. Remember that your time and needs are just as important as other peoples.
Day 11. Loneliness.
We often associate Christmas and the holiday period as a time of connection with family and friends, but for some people it can actually be a period of intense loneliness. In fact, around 1 in 4 Australians say they are currently experiencing loneliness, and this is often exacerbated during holidays. It is important to avoid comparisons with others and develop your own routines and habits to create enjoyable activities. Be kind to yourself, and perhaps take the time to reconnect with old friends or create the opportunity to make new friends.
Day 12. Don’t forget to switch off.
Easier said than done, but it is important to take some time to completely switch off from work in order to get the full benefit of the holiday break. For many business owners, there is a temptation to check emails or manage business affairs over the holidays, which means that they don’t truly get to relax and enjoy themselves. As a wise person once said, “If this is urgent, take a deep breath, because few things really are.”
From all the team at the Mindful Smiles Hub, we hope these tips will help you to have a healthy break. We wish you a happy and restful holiday and look forward to connecting with you all in 2024.