Do you struggle at Christmas? Maybe you find the forced jollity a real strain? Perhaps you want to join in, but just don’t have the energy to pretend?
Everywhere you look at this time of year, you’ll find reasons to be cheerful – but, if you’re not feeling it, it can get too much.
You’re not alone if you don’t enjoy the run-up to Christmas. For some, Christmas means hours in the kitchen, serving guests and trying to make everyone (apart from yourself) happy. For others, the season can feel lonely, depressing, and a cause of significant anxiety.
Self-care at christmas is essential, especially when you feel that your mental health is at risk.
So, grab yourself a soothing, warm drink, and ponder over SupportRoom’s top tips for self-care during Christmas.
Get the Heart Rate Up to Lift Your Spirits
If you feel like locking yourself away, try taking a step into the unknown: leave the house for a long walk or (if you’re feeling energetic) go for a run.
If the weather’s terrible and you can’t face going outside, try an online fitness class or stick some music on loud and dance around your living room.
There are so many online options for free exercise classes these days that you’re spoilt for choice. Choose something that fits your energy levels from gentle yoga or pilates to a full HIIT workout.
Exercise lifts your spirits, and it doesn’t have to be torturous!
Decorate your Office Space
You might be working from home right now, and you’re probably missing the usual office banter (or maybe you’re enjoying the break from it).
Working from home can feel a little like Groundhog Day, so try shaking things up. Organise a team Zoom quiz for a lunch hour or put some time aside for virtual office drinks.
Decorate your office space with glittering baubles and tinsel, and string up some lights.
There’s very little that a bit of glitter won’t solve!
Don’t Over-Indulge
OK; this sounds a little miserable, but stick with us, here.
Christmas time is a feast festival – the celebration revolves around a huge meal, and we often allow ourselves to overdo the booze, treats, and late nights.
It’s tempting to over-indulge but consider minimising your sugar intake. Sugar provides a rapid burst of energy (which feels good), but the crash that naturally follows can leave us feeling depressed and guilty.
Of course, indulge a little; we’re trying to lift our spirits, here, after all.
Limit Your Social Media
You might have some extra time off over Christmas, and you probably just want to slob out and kickback.
Enjoy your favourite Christmas movies, listen to Christmassy music, watch box sets, and read that book you’ve meant to read for months.
Do things that make you feel good.
Avoid getting into arguments on social media. Avoid staring at that little screen in your pocket for too long.
Social media keeps us in contact with one another, but unlimited hours spent engaging in other people’s lives makes you depressed and can worsen your mental health.
Practice a little gratitude
Gratitude meditation is a recognised approach to raising your spirits. It’s a practice that asks you to focus on the things in life that bring you good energy and positive feelings of wellbeing.
If you feel like you spend a lot of time angry and upset by the actions of other people, spend a little time focusing on your blessings.
There are lots of online gratitude meditation opportunities online. We love this one – it’s great to do before you get out of bed in the morning, and an excellent way to turn your focus towards the things in life that make life worth living.
The main top tip for self care for this Christmas, fill your thoughts with abundance.
SupportRoom is here to help
SupportRoom is a brand new, innovate online therapy platform; designed for everyone to access qualified therapists at the touch of a button, from your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.
Access the support you need; when you need it.
SupportRooHomem is taking the wait out of therapy with an always-on platform that provides essential mental health support from licensed therapists: 24/7, 365 days a year.
Gain FREE access to Heartbeat
Get a free Heartbeat Survey.
Let us uncover the true state of your team’s wellbeing with a free mental health survey for your entire organisation.
Gain valuable insights to see how you can better support your team’s mental health and performance.
No pitch. No credit card required.
Gain FREE access to Heartbeat
Get a free Heartbeat Survey.
Let us uncover the true state of your team’s wellbeing with a free mental health survey for your entire organisation.
Gain valuable insights to see how you can better support your team’s mental health and performance.
No pitch. No credit card required.
