Today’s blog was written by Freya Love, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford.
Today is December 8th, and is the time of year that many people are starting to feel truly festive and in a Holiday spirit. And for good reason; there is a lot to love about this time of year, like the crisp weather, the tasty treats and being around family.
However, while it can feel that everyone is joyful and merry, many people can feel intense stress and an adverse impact on their mental health this time of year. This is very normal, and for this reason it is imperative you look after yourself and put your mental health first. In this blog, we will be covering several ways that you can engage in self-care and look after yourself this winter.
- Ask a loved one to keep in touch and contact
- This is a good idea for all times of year, but especially in those times that you know from experience you might be finding things especially difficult.
- Sometimes asking for help in this way can feel difficult, and that we are a burden. Try to remember these are negative thoughts that our mind is telling us, and in reality, our friends and family and other loved ones are there for you and love to help and support you
- Sometimes even a simple ‘hello, I’m thinking of you’ can be invaluable for those that are struggling. If you feel able, check in on some of your friends in the same way
- Go for walks or spend time outside
- Wrap up warm in a thick coat, and spend time going for walks and enjoying the outdoors.
- Walking has been found to be extremely beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing. Not only has it been shown to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, but the increased blood flow and circulation has also been shown to improve our sleep, our concentration, and dramatically decrease stress levels.
- You can even invite a friend or loved one along with you on your walk, as research shows the interaction of the exercise and positive social interactions hugely magnifies all of these walking benefits
- Find time to yourself
- Christmas and other Holidays this season can be extraordinarily busy, and it might feel a little draining at times. Don’t forget to carve out time in your day to be just with yourself, and do something that relaxes you or that you enjoy
- This could be a bubble bath, an episode of your favourite show, or putting on a loved album and relaxing with the music.
- Relaxations/meditation
- As we have discussed here on our Blog at Headspace Guildford before (see here), relaxations are supremely helpful for our mental health, and getting into a routine of practicing these calming exercises is really important
- There are many different types of relaxations and meditation techniques, so find the one that works for you, and try and practice as often as you can. The more we practice, the better we become at truly relaxing our systems.
- Follow this link to read our previous blog on Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Stick to your normal routines as much as possible
- For our final tip for supporting your mental health this Holiday season, we recommend you follow your normal daily routines as much as possible
- This will not always be possible depending on what you and your loved ones are getting up to this time of year, but maintaining a regular routine can be really beneficial for you and your mental health
- Try to eat and sleep at regular times, and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
In addition to these self-care tips, don’t forget to visit our helpful links page for mental health resources to provide any further help. All of us at Headspace Guildford are wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons.