{4 minute read}

The Thought That Counts

Keeping focus on things that matter the most. This time of year it is easy to believe you have to spend hundreds on Christmas presents. The list of people to buy for can often get longer and longer with feelings of being obliged to buy for everyone’s kids, dogs and …. you probably know the feeling! Let’s take it back to the real spirit of Christmas, see below for some tips on keeping it thoughtful this festive season:

• Firstly, ask yourself why. Why are you buying this gift? If it is for any reason other than wanting to see the face of the recipient beam, then it may be from pressure or expectation. Try and let go of the pressures with honest conversations and being true to yourself.
• Give your time and be truly present. As cheesy as it sounds, making the effort to spend time with loved ones and being truly present in their company (phone off), is more meaningful than anything you could buy.
• Bake, make, create. Nothing brings Christmas spirit more than handmade gifts for loved ones. Taking the time and energy to make a gift in a world of amazon prime, is priceless and something that will be treasured for years to come.

Stress

Festive burnout is a real thing, with social, work and family commitments, all demanding our time and energy. It may seem you have no time to stop, relax and actually enjoy the festivities. See some tips below to help ease that festive stress:

• Schedule in time to do nothing: Booking up your entire December calendar leaves little wiggle room to recharge your social batteries. Having a fully booked calendar also doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity. Give yourself a day or two between busy weeks to relax and look after your physical and mental health.
• Say No: There are many social occasions during the Holiday season that you may be dreading. Check in with yourself and ask yourself what YOU would like to do. Life is too short to force yourself to go to events that you just don’t like going to, and the best part is… you don’t have to! This also leaves room for things that you will enjoy! No FOMO here!
• Breathe: Taking moments to pause and breathe during busy times can regulate your parasympathetic nervous system (PSN), by tapping into the PSN your body enters rest mode. When people are stressed they usually spending a lot of their time in ‘fight or flight’, prolonged periods of time spent here can have catastrophic effects on the human body. The breathe is a gateway and powerful tools out of fight and flight and into rest. Breathing techniques are free and can take place absolutely anywhere, they can be as simple as counting your breathes, making your exhale longer, or using one of many techniques like the 4-7-8 (breathing in for 4 counts, holding for 7 and breathing out for 8 counts).

Hygge

The Danish art of living. Denmark have it all figured out when it comes to keeping it cosy. Hygge, pronounced as hyoo-guh, is describes as a feeling of joy from the simple things in life. See below for tips on keeping it cosy this winter:

• Hygge Home: Make your space as cosy as can be by filling your home with soft pillows and blankets. Bring in scents like fresh flowers and natural seasonal smells. Fill your home with natural light by day and candle light by night. Natural materials like wood are a great accessories along with plenty of house plants.
• Entertaining: Hygge is all about keeping it simple when having loved ones round. Simple comfort food like stews, breads and cheeses, followed by a bottle of wine and a classic fruit crumble is how the Danes enjoy their evenings with friends. The simpler the better. Pop the fire on (or turn your TV into a fireplace with Netflix fireplace visual) and relax with cosy blankets and great conversation.