The festive season can look different for everyone. Whether you are relaxing at home with your loved ones, heading off for a few days of travel, switching off from your day-to-day, filling your social calendar with festive events or continuing your work – I want you to spend a few moments each day, prioritising you.
This time of year is filled with joy and happiness, but can bring some unwanted pressure, loneliness or stress. So amongst all the madness, it’s important to integrate small things which make you feel good and grounded. I want to share some of my own favourites with you, to inspire you to do the same.
Give Back
Christmas looks different for everyone. Consider someone else this Christmas who may not be spending time with their family, an essential worker, or someone who might be feeling the extreme social pressures of the festive season. Send a text message, give someone a call, send a box of homemade treats, invite someone over for a cup of tea.
Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and make them to smile during a time they need it most.
Move Your Body
It goes without saying, movement is medicine on the body and mind. Christmas can bring a lot of stress into the household, between hosting family members, attending social events, financial pressures and lack of usual routine. The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, try rolling out your mat. Start with a stretch, or aim for a 20-minute workout to clear your mind and release the build up of stress and tension in the body.
Try my Christmas day workout!
Replenish with nutrients
What is the best part about Christmas? The food! It may come second to seeing family and friends, but Christmas lunch is something I look forward to every year. This year, we are keeping things simple with an abundance of salad, fresh seafood and favourites from our local bakery and delicatessen.
Here are some things you will find on our Christmas day menu, which will triple as Boxing Day lunch and dinner.
Be Kind to Yourself
Allow yourself to indulge in all your festive season favourites, without feeling guilty or pressured to “burn it off” afterwards. Be kind to yourself and balance your indulgences with lots of water, gentle movement and moments of relaxation.
Stay hydrated with these water recipe ideas (these make for fun mocktails or hangover cures).
End each day with 5 minutes of relaxation to unwind from the social gatherings and switch off, to support a restful night’s sleep.
