Looking after yourself during the festive holidays

reading a book with a cup of tea

For mental health sufferers, Christmas can be stressful, which is why you should look be looking after yourself during the festive holidays.

Whether you are feeling high or low or ok, it’s easy to get carried away with drinking, overeating, overspending, and not sleeping.

Here are some essential tips on how to look after yourself during the festive holidays.

Always make time for exercise
It can be easy to get carried away with alcohol and food that you wouldn’t usually eat but remember to burn off anything you consume.

Don’t just sit on the couch and eat junk food. Make sure you eat in moderation and get off that couch and go for a short walk or if you have a Play Station, Xbox or a Nintendo Switch play a few games on it.

I will be away from home this year for a week over the festive holidays, which messes up my daily gym and swim routine.

I will be getting my exercise by walking with the children and playing on my Nintendo Wii. I’m in London for two days so I will be walking a fair bit.

If you need to take a nap take one
All those late nights and rushing around can make you feel tired. Don’t be ashamed if you need a little rest during the day.

If you are tired, take one. You will feel more energised about it. The late thing you want to do is rush around and come down with the flu or cold due to feeling run down.

Drink alcohol in moderation and drink water in between
Make sure that you drink alcohol in moderation, especially if you are on medication.

You aren’t supposed to drink with medication.

However, a cheeky glass of Bucks Fizz should be ok as long as you are sensible and aren’t drinking alone.

You should also try drinking water in between, so you are less likely to dehydrate and end up with a bad hangover.

Make lists
If it’s your turn to make the Christmas dinner for the family at your house, make sure that you make a list of what everyone wants.

You don’t want to be rushing around a busy supermarket, not knowing what to buy.

Grab what you want and come straight out.

Supermarkets are the most stressful places this time of year.

Take a long hot bath
One of the best ways to relax is by having a nice warm bath.

I like to use Lush bath bombs when I’m feeling a little under the weather.

My favourite is the Dragon’s Egg which my mum or sister usually buys me for Christmas, and they also make great stocking fillers.

Read a good book
There’s nothing more relaxing than having a hot bath and sitting on the sofa in your pajamas with a hot chocolate and a good book.

This year I have started reading more books about blogging, PPC, SEO, Social media, and autobiographies.

It helps me switch off from all the daily distractions, and it has also helped to improve my writing and grammar.

If you have any tips on how you will be looking after yourself during the festive holidays, we would love to hear from you in the comment section below or on our social media channels.