Wellbeing Advent Calendar

You’d think Christmas and wellbeing would go together like Dancer and Prancer, or Vixen and Blitzen, but have you seen the mess a herd of reindeer can make?

This year you can check in for our daily wellbeing and movement tip and invite some calm into your day by following us on Facebook for our social media wellbeing advent calendar.

Each day you’ll get a new movement or wellbeing tip to keep you balanced, healthy and relaxed.

Here are some extra tips for you to survive the holiday season:

1. Drink water

In winter, many of us drink far less water. This is bonkers when you consider the fact we are all sealed in centrally heated rooms consuming more alcohol and sugar than is wise. Staying hydrated is probably the most important thing you can do for winter wellness – even if you ignore the other tips, do this and your skin (and liver) will thank you.

But how much do we need to drink?

Three small bottles of water a day: one throughout the morning, another in early afternoon and the third late afternoon to early evening. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the colour of your wee – anything darker than pale pastel yellow and you need to drink water (you can get Pantone charts of pee if you are that kind of person…). And that small glass of wine with your meal is allowed because it helps dissolve fat during digestion (in moderation, of course).

In party season, try – I know, this is not always easy – to stagger alcoholic drinks with glasses of water. If things have gone a bit swirly, down a pint or two of water before your face hits the pillow. This is more about damage limitation than a cure, lessening the agonies of the morning after.

2. Keep breathing

Take a few deep breaths when you’re stuck in a car park queue, when the mother-in-law tells you how to cook a turkey, or when the dog/kids knock the tree over for the 99th time. Stop, unclench your teeth and hands, and take a deep breath in through your nose, count slowly to three, then slowly breath out through your mouth counting to six. The counting helps put your cognitive brain back online, while slowing down your breathing lowers your heart rate, which is preparing you for fight or flight. Once calm, you can put everything in context rather than exploding like a Christmas cracker.

It helps to inhale calming essential oils. Dab NoSecrets Cosmetics Soothe and Relax Body Oil Roller on your wrists, or spray Saskia’s Flower Essences Clear and Protect Spray in the air if things are getting a little heated. Scented candles around the home might calm everyone’s nerves, and aromatherapy products make great gifts.

3. Hug a tree

Not the Christmas tree – they can be a little prickly. What we mean is get outside, embrace nature (mentally rather than physically), indulge in some forest bathing – which I thought was skinny dipping in ponds, but in fact means simply looking at trees. Studies say it reduce levels of depression and anxiety. Light therapy is being used more and more in spa treatments, as well as helping with the condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. In winter the daylight window narrows, so make the most of it: wrap up warm and go for a wild winter walk, then come back and reward yourself with a mince pie or two.

4. Lower your expectations

The build up to Christmas is all about raising expectations to a non-realistic level. Everything must be sparkly and fabulous, however run-down and stressed-out you really feel. Indeed, the wider the gulf between expectation and reality, the harsher the comedown.

Slow down, accept that you are never going to make everyone happy: it’s impossible, and besides, not everyone wants to be happy. To paraphrase the opening line of Anna Karenina, all happy families look like a John Lewis ad, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Be proud of your quirks.

What you can do is concentrate on your own wellbeing and maybe, possibly (don’t want to promise anything here…) it will have a knock-on effect on those around you. Have a bath with some of your favourite spa products, make sure you get a good night’s sleep and focus on making time for the people you genuinely care about rather than those you are obliged to tolerate.

5. Get a massage

You don’t have to book in for a whole body treatment – wiser to earmark this for your Dear Santa wish list. Just popping down to your local treatment room for a 30 minute head massage, or a back and shoulder massage, will help you weather the storm, gather your senses and reduce any aches and pains. Break up a shopping spree with a relaxing massage. What could be better?

Above all, keep calm and book in.

Have a mindful Christmas and enjoy wellbeing in the New Year!