Looking After Your Mental Health & Wellbeing This Christmas

Looking After Your Mental Health and Wellbeing This Christmas

Hello, my name is Sophie Broady. I am a Registered Mental Health Nurse currently undertaking the Wellbeing Coordinator role on XIII Sqn.

During the past few years, individuals have experienced a new way of life due to COVID 19. More recently, there has been an increase of worry surrounding financial stressors. Some people feel comfortable with the reduced contact, working from home and less social interaction, however others have struggled with this. Here are some tips to support you and your overall mental health and wellbeing and some ideas to keep costs down over the festive period:

1. Keep in touch – Try and arrange face to face quality time with people you love and connect with people. Facetime or call friends and family regularly, stay connected. 2. Talk about your feelings – It can be hard to admit that during the festive season you don’t actually feel that great. By talking through how you feel can improve your mood and make it easier to deal with tough times. There are numerous agencies that you can contact if you would like to talk to someone outside of your circle. Please see below.

3. Build a routine – This is an effective way to have a plan of action and can alleviate stress and worries to some extent.

Get up and go to bed at similar times every morning and night.

Write a meal plan or prep meals to eat during the week. If you work from home, have set hours and imply some boundaries. Have a good schedule and set small, achievable goals.

Have an exercise routine – 3 x sessions per week if possible. Get some fresh air, daily!

4. Physical exercise – This is clinically proven to boost your mental and physical health. Attend a class, get a gym routine together or a gentle jog around the local area. Please do set realistic goals and ensure you are fit and well to carry out activities. If you are unable to do any of the above, go for a walk, listen to some music or maybe meet a friend to join along.

5. Self care – I often ask people, what do you do for you? Many cannot answer… Self care is a necessity to our wellbeing, its about looking after ourselves in order to be the best we can be and look after others. Self care can be a number of things: Reading a book alone for an hour, getting your hair cut, getting a manicure, a massage, having a hobby, going golf. The list is endless! I encourage people to take time out of our busy lives to have some self care and focus on YOU.

6. Set a budget – Plan what you can afford, there are lots of apps that can support with this. You can also plan ahead for next years festive season.

7. Buy second hand - Use pre loved apps such as vinted, depop, ebay and marketplace. Lots of fabulous bargains and unused/ unwanted items that could be a perfect present or gift. Please do remember to use a safe way of paying and ensure it is a secure site.

8. Only buy what you need – Some people feel under pressure to buy expensive and extravagant gifts. Maybe agree to meet for a lunch in the new year or even a day out when the weather improves. If you know there are a lot of family members, maybe agree to only buy presents for children.

9. Search for deals – There are many ways of accessing cheaper deals, make use of sales and discounted items. Always search for discount codes or vouchers before making purchases both instore and online.

10. Buy after Christmas – Like many armed forces families, you may travel to see loved ones and friends after Christmas. There are great deals after Christmas day and many items are reduced. This also includes gift wrapping, cards and accessories.