17 Dec Wellbeing at Christmas! Top ten tips!
At Christmas it is a time to enjoy yourself! We should be able to do this guilt free but we can still do this whilst considering our own and other people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
We’ve racked our brains for some top tips to ensure we can have fun without battering our wellbeing.
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Alcohol and Water
Many of us enjoy a tipple at Christmas and why not, we are celebrating after all. However, drinking too much, especially without hydrating ourselves with water will leave us chronically dehydrated which will negatively impact on our mental and physical wellbeing.
Top tip: Set reminders to drink water throughout the day. Start the day with a pint of water and drink plenty of water before bed.
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Food
We can often over indulge with so many delicious foods on offer at Christmas but too much of the wrong foods leaves us feeling lethargic and bloated.
Top tip: try to get a balance. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. This could help with digestion as well as helping us to avoid as many high energy foods which can negatively impact your mood.
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Avoid the phones and tablets
Although we will want to spread the Christmas cheer on Christmas day spending too long periods on our phone could be perceived negatively amongst those who you’re spending Christmas with.
Top tip: once Merry Christmas messages have been sent put the phone away. Even having the phone out face down is proven to reduce social trust and engagement.
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Me time
At Christmas many of us spend lots of time with family and friends which means we may spend time doing what other people enjoy and sometimes don’t make time for ourselves. Taking time for yourself is crucial for our own mental wellbeing.
Top tip: Plan ahead and set aside (“book in”) a day / afternoon which is for you.
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Enjoy the great outdoors
We can often find ourselves staying in the warm, eating and drinking whilst maybe playing games or watching festive TV. This is all well and good but don’t forget about the festive joys found outside. Getting outside is proven to reduce anxiety and depression as well as giving us many physical benefits.
Top tip: Go experience the fantastic light displays as well as soaking up the beauty of nature on a crisp festive morning.
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Sleep
We can often neglect sleep as we are spending more time socialising but lack of sleep can leave us feeling low, as well as increasing risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Top tip: try and maintain a routine on most days considering things suggested in our sleep blog (http://annurca.com/lack-sleep-negatively-impacting/)
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Keep Active and Exercise
Physical activity has so many benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing and just because it’s Christmas it doesn’t become any less important. By getting out and exercising it will help you address a number of other areas too (enjoy the great outdoors, sleep, me time etc).
Top tip: Plan ahead. Schedule an hour here or 30 min there. Without planning it may be difficult to find time to fit it in.
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Talk to someone
We can still have low moments at Christmas and for some it can be the most difficult period of the year, leaving them feeling overwhelmed or under pressure.
Top tip: find a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle to confide in someone. Also if it doesn’t negatively impact you be aware of others. If someone doesn’t seem ok make sure you talk to them away from everyone else.
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Don’t compare yourself to others
Many people will be posting pictures on social media of their “perfect” Christmas but not everyone will feel this way. Comparing can leave you feeling low and it may not even be a true reflection anyway. Social media and reality can be very different!
Top tip: Avoid social media! Sometimes it can do more harm than good!
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Give something back
If you can give something back, particularly to someone less fortunate than yourself then it can make all the difference, not only for your own wellbeing but for their wellbeing too.
Top tip: volunteer, contribute food, make a present, offer a random act of kindness
Look after yourself and others and have a wonderful Christmas from everyone here at Annurca!
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