It’s that time of year again. Things start to get really crazy. If you’re a parent you’ll be juggling Christmas mufti days and reindeer runs and bake sales and Christmas shows and nativity performances and and and….
If you’re a young person reading this you’re probably juggling mock exams or tests, trying to make this Christmas really awesome but not quite knowing how, wanting to get nice gifts for friends or family but not having enough money to do it as you would like.
Either way, it can be pretty stressful. The expectations on everyone, the pressure to be cheerful, the number of events and shows and drinks and things you need to do.
So, given that advent starts on Tuesday, I thought an advent calendar might be in order. Now call me old, but I remember when literally you got a bit of card and open the little doors to see a picture behind it. And it was still exciting. These days there are socks and snacks and chocolate and beauty products behind each door. I’m afraid my advent calendar is not that exciting but it might be lovely and might help you to manage all the bumps that occur this month.
Here are 25 ideas
- Make a list of things you’d like to do over the Christmas holidays. (You are allowed to include a whole day in your PJs)
- Turn your phone off for a whole day. I know the FOMO might be there, but a digital detox can do us the world of good
- Go for a walk. Remember we used to do this in lockdown and as things have opened up we’ve forgotten how nice it was to slow down and just walk in our local area.
- Make a nice breakfast or brunch for yourself – don’t just eat some soggy cornflakes because you don’t have time or can’t think of something more exciting. Better still make Breakfast or brunch for someone else. That way you get double the good feeling.
- Make something. Doesn’t have to be big. If you’re into crafting or sewing make something christmasy. If that’s not your bag, perhaps make a cake or write a story. Being creative opens up bits of our brain that close down when we’re stressed.
- Drink a cup of tea/coffee/hot chocolate/warm squash mindfully. This means taking the time to notice how it feels in your mouth and going down your throat. Enjoying the smell and the taste. Taking a moment to just be in the moment.
- Do a meditation. Try the Headspace, Happy me or Calm apps to find a guided meditation
- Dust off your Christmas jumper if you own one. Get excited about wearing it. If you don’t own one, enjoy laughing to yourself at some of the ridiculous designs out there.
- Make a list of things you’re grateful for. We so often focus on what’s going wrong, but forget there are some things going ok. It might just be that there was hot water for a shower or that you got the bus on time. It might be that a friend is better having been ill. It might be something on a micro or global scale.
- Buy your new diary for 2022 and write some things in you’re looking forward to. Or if you have an academic year diary then do still write in some things that are going to be good next year.
- Go to bed at 9.30pm and read a book.
- Drink hot chocolate with Marshmallows. If you can, meet up with a friend you like spending time with and drink hot chocolate together.
- Write about your day before you go to bed. The brain processes things by telling stories about what’s happening.
- Buy yourself a present. Don’t open it or use it yet. Save it for Christmas
- Look at Christmas lights. If you can, find somewhere where they are lighting up their garden for charity. Bask in their dedication and donate to the charity of their choice.
- Watch a Christmas film. Better still do it in your PJs with a duvet
- Congratulate yourself on getting this far into the month without going mad. Treat yourself to a bath/early night/face mask as a reward.
- Do the last of your shopping. Feel good about finishing.
- Do some breathing. Use it to ground yourself before the final week of advent.
- Do some yoga. Even if you’ve never done it before, or it’s not your thing. Look it up on you tube or get a book. Try out some poses. Laugh at yourself. Find a pose you like best. Try to do it every day until Christmas
- Thank someone for something they did for you this year. Be sincere. Be grateful
- Plan something nice you’re going to eat over the festive period. Write out the recipe or shopping list
- Decide to forgive someone who wronged you or let go something you’ve been holding on to. Do this because it’s the right thing for you and because you deserve more than to still be sad or cross
- Give something to someone. Try and do it in person so you can see their face.
- Open your presents. Don’t forget the one you got yourself.
I don’t know about you but I’m pretty sure I won’t manage all of these. If you don’t, no worries. Do what you can with what you’ve got. Be kind to yourself. The rest will fall into place by itself.
If you’re struggling with advent, know you’re not alone. Start with a breath. Recognise how much you’re managing. Do something nice for yourself. Talk to someone who cares.