Christmas can be a very busy and emotional time for many that can cause stress, anxiety and/or depression. Here are a few tips to help over this time.

Nutrition

This time of the year can be a period of over indulgence of food, alcohol and generally poor nutrition. This can play havoc with a person’s mind and mood. It is important to maintain a healthy diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, eliminating sugar and harmful sweets, not to mention too many unhealthy nibbles.

Tip 1: Eat before you go out if attending a Christmas Party with friends and colleagues. You will most probably make a better food choice if you eat before you are intoxicated or you are really hungry. Keep a good stock of healthy food in your fridge. For example plenty of salad vegetables, fruit, some dates, humus and raw dips, raw cakes and raw chocolate etc.

Alcohol

Over the festive season some people, particularly anyone working in stressful occupations might use alcohol as a means of coping with life’s pressure.

Alcohol in moderation and a glass of water has always been advised to reduce intoxications. Alcohol is known to be a depressant, not to mention it can lead to eating unhealthy foods and alcohol especially wine can contain preservatives that also have a negative effect on our body. Alcohol also effects sleep patterns.

Tip 2: Avoid having alcohol in the home. Make better choices, like a choosing to have a glass of organic preservative free wine instead of spirits when attending a function. Drink slowly and have a glass of water with lemon juice in it in between servings. Keep your serving to no more than 2 glasses when attending a party. The whole idea of getting together with friends and family at a party is to enjoy each other’s company, not to get wasted.

Financial stress

I know for myself, that this year has been particularly stressful in the financial department and I could go out and create unreasonable expense that we cannot afford to do because my nature is to give. Buying gifts is one of my loves in life, but do I need to put myself in this state of considerable expense, and the financial strain that will hugely impact on my stress, anxiety and depression levels. I had to do a little self-talk and learn the technique of saying ‘NO’ to buying expensive gifts and just pick a little something for my loved ones that does not have a huge price tag on it. Not to mention, giving away being the entertainer, who always provides great food for all occasions.

Tip 3: You do not need to mortgage your house, max out your credit card for your real friends and your family will still love you. Consider home-made gifts, I like to make raw Christmas puddings for example. Although in saying this our grandchildren still want some sort of little thing under the tree, so I have had to keep that to a minimum dollar wise.

Exercise

Christmas can also be a time when your daily exercise plan goes out the window and replaced with getting together with friends and family to eat, drink and be merry. Exercise is great for your mood and self-esteem.

Tip 4: Pre-plan your exercise routine around your work and social commitments. Diarise when and how. No matter what get that walk in – even if it is only 40 mins. If you have any of my husband Wayne’s tubing use this at home before going out. Just 10 minutes can make a difference to your mental state. There are many in-home walking programs on Y-Tube also.

Isolation

Do no isolate yourself either if you are away from friends and family at this time.

Tip 5: Volunteer at a community group that supports children or the elderly. Activate Yourself – this could potentially be the best Christmas you have ever had. It will not only put a smile on their face it will put a smile on yours.

Love and Light to Everyone. xxx