Check out these 5 top tips for caring for yourself at Christmas and see if they make a difference to your holiday season!
#1. Do something that makes you happy
Whether it’s getting or making a gift for someone you love or care about dearly, giving back to charity (helping/feeding the homeless), treating yourself to your favourite bag of chocolate or even buying yourself a new pair of trainers… WHATEVER IT IS! This is a top priority for keeping your mental health in check throughout Christmas, you always come first – do something to make yourself smile.
#2. Show gratitude
Make a list of five things you are grateful for, it doesn't matter if it's small or big things. Always remember the things you are grateful for because one thing you have someone else in the world may not have. Gratitude is essential to building a positive mind.
#3. Take a break – practise self-care and be kind to yourself
This might be hard for many of us to do, no matter what age you are, it’s very easy to give everything you have within yourself away at Christmas. Worrying about money for gifts or feeling low because you miss someone you love but you are IMPORTANT. Be kind to yourself, channel your energy to reflect on how you are feeling, snuggle up in your bed or on your sofa, with your favourite hot drink and just relax. Those things are not more important than you and your well-being. Always remember that.
#4. Make sure your eating and drinking loads of water
I’m sure we all love eating at Christmas, enjoying rich food, stuffing our bellies until they hurt and indulging in loads of sweets and chocolate! However, many of us may not have enough money to eat loads at Christmas but we all need to make sure we are eating enough. 3 meals per day with at least 2 litres of water - to keep our bodies healthy and happy. If you are ever struggling to maintain 3 meals per day, let someone know or go to your nearest food bank, asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.
#5. Spend time with others or enjoying your own company
Spending time with others doesn’t mean it has to be your friends and family, it can be carers, youth workers or anyone that makes you feel loved or cared for. Don’t feel alone this Christmas, try your hardest to be sociable and enjoy others' company as well as your own. Even if you do spend the Christmas period alone, it is always useful to create a routine for yourself, get out, go for a walk, listen to your favourite playlist, binge watch your favourite movies or get into a new series - make sure you have all your home comforts to hand. Forget about work, forget about all your troubles, just be present and happy!
